Kene Nwangwu Explained

Kene Nwangwu
Current Team:Minnesota Vikings
Number:26
Position:Running back
Birth Date:February 9, 1998
Birth Place:Frisco, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:210
High School:Heritage (Frisco, Texas)
College:Iowa State (2016–2020)
Draftyear:2021
Draftround:4
Draftpick:119
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Rushing yards
Statvalue1:88
Statlabel2:Rushing average
Statvalue2:3.3
Statlabel3:Receptions
Statvalue3:6
Statlabel4:Receiving yards
Statvalue4:30
Statlabel5:Return yards
Statvalue5:1,879
Statlabel6:Total touchdowns
Statvalue6:3
Pfr:N/NwanKe00

Kene Nwangwu (born February 9, 1998) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones.[1]

College career

Nwangwu played for the Iowa State Cyclones of Iowa State University from 2016 to 2020.[2] He led the Big 12 Conference in kickoff returns and kickoff return yards in the 2016 season.[3] Due to an Achilles injury, he used a redshirt for the 2017 season.[4]

Professional career

Nwangwu was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round, 119th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.[5] On May 15, 2021, he signed his rookie contract with Minnesota, worth $4.23 million with a $752K signing bonus.[6] He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2021.[7] He was activated on October 19. His first NFL touchdown was a 98 yard kick-off return for a touchdown versus the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9, earning National Football Conference (NFC) Special Teams Player of the Week.[8] Three weeks later in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, Nwangwu returned another kick for a touchdown, this one being 99 yards.[9] [10] As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games.[11] He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.[12]

In Week 12 of the 2022 season against the New England Patriots, he had another kickoff return for a 97-yard touchdown, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[13] His 35 total kick returns in the 2022 tied with Keisean Nixon for the lead in the NFL.[14] Overall, he appeared in all 17 games in a special teams role for the Vikings in the 2022 season.[15]

On August 30, 2023, Nwangwu was placed on injured reserve.[16] He was activated on October 18.[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Peterson . Randy . April 29, 2021 . Peterson: Iowa State's Dylan Soehner, Kene Nwangwu hope to hear name called in NFL Draft . October 28, 2023 . The Des Moines Register.
  2. Web site: Kene Nwangwu College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits . October 28, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  3. Web site: 2016 Big 12 Conference Leaders . October 28, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  4. Web site: Visser . Ben . September 26, 2018 . Iowa State's Kene Nwangwu back to his old self . October 28, 2023 . TheGazette.com . en-US.
  5. Web site: Young . Lindsey . Peters . Craig . Smith . Eric . May 1, 2021 . Minnesota Vikings Round 4 Recap of 2021 NFL Draft . October 28, 2023 . Vikings.com.
  6. Web site: Levine . Ben . May 15, 2021 . Vikings Sign Fourth-Round RB Kene Nwangwu . October 28, 2023 . Pro Football Rumors . en-US.
  7. Web site: Peters . Craig . September 1, 2021 . Vikings Claim TE Ben Ellefson & Sign 14 to Practice Squad . October 28, 2023 . Vikings.com.
  8. Web site: Gordon . Grant . November 10, 2021 . Chargers QB Justin Herbert, Falcons QB Matt Ryan lead Players of the Week . October 28, 2023 . NFL.com.
  9. Web site: November 29, 2021 . Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Another kick-return touchdown . October 28, 2023 . CBSSports.com . en.
  10. Web site: Cronin . Courtney . November 28, 2021 . Vikings' Kene Nwangwu breaks loose for 99-yard kickoff return . October 28, 2023 . ESPN.com . en.
  11. Web site: Kene Nwangwu 2021 Game Log . October 28, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  12. Web site: 2021 NFL All-Rookie Team . October 28, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  13. Web site: Peters . Craig . November 24, 2022 . Kene Nwangwu's 97-yard Kick Return TD Spices Up Thanksgiving Win by Vikings . November 25, 2022 . Vikings.com.
  14. Web site: 2022 NFL Kick & Punt Returns . October 28, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  15. Web site: Kene Nwangwu 2022 Game Log . October 28, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  16. Web site: Young . Lindsey . August 30, 2023 . Vikings Agree to Terms with Myles Gaskin & David Quessenberry, Waive Jalen Reagor . October 28, 2023 . Vikings.com.
  17. Web site: Young . Lindsey . October 18, 2023 . Vikings Place Davenport on IR; Activate Nwangwu to 53-Man Roster . October 28, 2023 . Vikings.com . en-US.