Ex-Spartan, former Vikings’ DE getting third shot at NFL with Steelers after UFL campaign

Sarah Barber

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Ex-Spartan, former Vikings’ DE getting third shot at NFL with Steelers after UFL campaign image

When defensive end Kenny Willekes was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 225th pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, all that mattered to the former Michigan State walk-on was getting a shot at the league.

The defensive end is getting another chance in the NFL, but will the third time be the charm?

Willekes signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers Tuesday, Pro Football Newsroom’s James Larsen reported. Contract details have yet to be announced.

BREAKING: The Pittsburgh #Steelers are signing @USFLPanthers DE Kenny Willekes, per sources.

Willekes is coming off a tremendous #UFL campaign in Michigan; with 31 tackles, 4 sacks, & 28 QB pressures to his name.

One of the UFL's top edge rushers from 2024-2025. #UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/QyGXahYXHd
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 19, 2025

Willekes only played six games in one season with the Vikings — injury caused Minnesota to waive him in June 2022 and he reverted to the injured reserve. The defensive end re-signed with the Vikings in March 2023 as a restricted free agent but was waived in May.

He joined the UFL on the Michigan Panthers’ roster last season and tallied 21 tackles, five TFLs and four sacks before an injury sidelined him ahead of the playoffs. This year he played nine games for the Panthers and started in seven, stepping up when Breeland Sparks was injured and recording 31 tackles, 28 QB pressures and four sacks.

This contract with the Steelers is Willekes’ third opportunity to make it in the NFL, but he’s no stranger to a challenge. A walk-on in 2015 at Michigan State, Willekes went from riding the bench as a freshman to earning a full scholarship.

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The defensive end was the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, won the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy and received multiple all-conference first-team honors during his time with the Spartans. In 13 games as a senior in 2019, Willekes posted 10.5 quarterback takedowns, 78 tackles (16 for loss) and forced two fumbles.

It’s unclear how long Willekes may be in Pittsburgh, but Steelers’ fans can count on the defensive end giving it his all.

Sarah Barber

Sarah Barber is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. She is wrapping up an MS in journalism with a specialization in sports media from Northwestern’s Medill School. Barber graduated from Northeastern University in 2024 with a degree in journalism and English, plus a double minor in public relations and sports, media and communication. She spent over two years as a sports correspondent for The Boston Globe and has a background in athletic video production.