Ex-Vikings Draft Pick Had Another Monster Game in the UFL
The United Football League, or UFL, is a fun way to rediscover some former Vikings players. Ex-preseason stars, draft picks, or short-term Minnesotans can be found there. San Antonio Brahmas quarterback Kellen Mond, for example, was benched for Kevin Hogan a couple of weeks ago.
Ex-Vikings Draft Pick Had Another Monster Game in the UFL
The UFL has been a better experience for another former Viking: Kenny Willekes. Once a seventh-rounder for the Vikings, he has been tearing up the spring league this season.
UFL Journey
Willekes signed with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL in December of 2023 because he couldn’t get a job in the big league. The USFL then merged with the XFL in 2024 and has been the UFL since.
In nine games last season, Willekes registered 20 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. This year, however, he has exploded. After seven contests, his numbers are up to 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
According to PFF, he is the highest-graded edge rusher in the league, ranking fifth in QB pressures and at the top in QB hits. In the close 25-24 victory over the Arlington Renegades a few days ago, he logged five tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble.
Willekes is a legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
College Career
The defender was a high school star in Michigan but somehow didn’t get any offers from D1 schools. Instead of playing at a lower level or going the JUCO route, he walked on at Michigan State, and after two years of barely seeing the field and working hard behind the scenes, he received a scholarship, which paid off big-time for the school.
Willekes became a full-time starter in year three, and he tabulated 72 tackles and seven sacks. Not bad for a walk-on. In 2018, he was named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and 2019. He was also the recipient of the Burlsworth Trophy in 2019 for the most outstanding FBS college player who began his career as a walk-on.
Throughout his college career, Willekes accumulated 229 tackles, 26 sacks, and 52 tackles for loss in 40 games.
Vikings Tenure
Prior to his stint in the UFL, Willekes was a Viking. Coming out of college in 2020, Rick Spielman used one of his 15 draft choices to land the productive Michigan State Spartan.
His scouting report implied a lack of elite physical tools, but the heart of a lion and a never-stopping motor. And he needed that heart to make it in Minnesota after missing his entire rookie season with a leg injury.
He bounced back in year two and contributed in six games, collecting 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his first year of game action while playing 202 defensive snaps and 27 on special teams. Unfortunately, he once again was tested when a torn ACL cost him the 2022 season. The Vikings moved on ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Next Jalen Redmond?
Many, perhaps even most players in the UFL hope to get another shot in the NFL. Jake Bates was a success story last year as Detroit’s automatic kicker. The Vikings snatched Jalen Redmond ahead of training camp and he made an impact.
He appeared in 13 games and even made starts after stealing that spot from Jerry Tillery. Redmond became a playmaker on Minnesota’s underwhelming defensive line, collecting 18 tackles, a sack, and six tackles for loss.
The Vikings have rebuilt their defensive line and Redmond’s possible promotion is off the table with Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in the mix, but he should still have a significant rotational role. Willekes could make a comparable transition.
Editor’s Note: Information from the UFL, PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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