Seahawks' coach Mike Macdonald was enthusiastic on Monday night, as he watched Kenneth Walker III light up the backfield in Seattle. "This guy's playing at an incredibly high level," Macdonald, reminiscing on the time he had witnessed Walker's relentless playstyle during his stint at Michigan State.
Macdonald was referring to the unforgettable match on October 30, 2021, during his tenure as Michigan's defensive coordinator. That day, Walker shattered records, rushing for 197 yards and scoring five touchdowns, equalling the school record and leading the Spartans to a riveting 37-33 victory. "So it's nothing new on his front," Macdonald added.
Now in his first year as head coach of the Seahawks, Macdonald is thrilled to have Walker on his team.
Walker made the most of his 12 carries in Detroit, turning them into three touchdowns and 80 yards - his first three-score game since being drafted by Seattle in the second round in 2022.
"He's pretty explosive," said offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, speaking about Walker. Grubb praised both Walker and power back Zach Charbonnet.
Walker's third score against Detroit was a testament to his unparalleled skills. He dodged three defenders without a single one laying a hand on him and then dived towards the pylon. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Walker hit 20.33 MPH on the play, making it the 12th-fastest time by a ball carrier in Week 4.
Postgame, quarterback Geno Smith was full of praise for Walker. "Man, he's special," Smith said. "I'm surprised every time he makes one of those just crazy plays. To have him and Zach back there, to have that one-two punch and to be able to utilize both of those guys within our offense, it just makes us that much better."
There's no denying that Kenneth Walker III's presence on the Seahawks' backfield dramatically boosts the team's offensive capabilities.
