The day after he was named a unanimous All-American, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III has announced he's headed to the NFL -- with no stop in between at the Peach Bowl.
The Doak Walker Award winner this season as the nation's top running back, Walker said Thursday he will "forgo playing in the Peach Bowl to begin preparation for the NFL Draft."
It makes sense for a player who dealt with an ankle injury toward the end of a season in which he became a household name. The Wake Forest transfer was largely an unknown when he arrived at Michigan State in January.
Then he finished second in the country in rushing.
"It’s been a true honor to represent Michigan State University and wear the Green and White," Walker said in a Twitter post. "I am beyond grateful to Coach Tucker and the entire staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to shine under their leadership. As the regular season has come to a close, I would like to announce that I have decided to forgo playing in the Peach Bowl to begin preparation for the NFL Draft."
Walker is at least a Day 2 pick in the draft, with a chance to go in the first round. All but two of the draft-eligible Doak Walker winners this century have been selected in the first three rounds.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, who's leading his team into the Peach Bowl Dec. 30 against Pitt, congratulated Walker on his success and thanked him "for taking a chance on us."
"From the day he set foot on campus in January, he has done nothing but work extremely hard and represent Michigan State University with class," Tucker said on Twitter. "He is a special player and I’m proud of everything he was able to achieve this season."