2020 NFL Draft: Michigan State EDGE Kenny Willekes scouting report
Scouting 2020 NFL Draft prospect, edge rusher Kenny Willekes.
- Name: Kenny Willekes
- Position: EDGE
- School: Michigan State
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 262 pounds
- Class: Senior
- 2018 Overview: Started all 13 games. Finished the season with 78 total tackles, a Big Ten-leading 21 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four passes defender and one interception. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and won the Smith-Brown Award for the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten.
Kenny Willekes has proven to be an extremely productive defensive end at Michigan State and is one of the best players at his position in all of college football. He is a premier edge rusher in the 2020 NFL draft class and is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on.
Willekes’ burst off of the edge immediately stands out on tape. He gets a quick first step, changes directions extremely well and closes on the quarterback quickly. Willekes also keeps his feet extremely well, showing very good balance in all situations. He also shows good power at the point of attack. His overall combination of athleticism and power is incredibly exciting.
An extremely tough and aggressive player, Willekes always does whatever he can to get to the quarterback. His overall pass rush repertoire is lacking, but Willekes does flash a quick swim move that can cause serious issues at times.
Willekes uses his hands extremely well as a run defender, consistently maintaining gap leverage and shedding blockers with relative ease. His aggressiveness also comes into play here, as Willekes can knife through the offensive line quickly, locate the ball carrier and make the tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
His aggressive style of play does get him in trouble at times. That being said, Willekes is an extremely fun player to watch who is a playmaker in the making up front.
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I would not put Willekes on the level of A.J. Epenesa or Chase Young, but he is undoubtedly one of the premier edge rushers in the 2020 NFL draft class. Simply put, he is a scheme versatile player who has an impressive overall skill-set, great football intelligence and is as tough as they come.