Nwangwu named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Jun 9, 2021; Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu (26) catches a pass in drills at OTA at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Kene Nwangwu is already receiving recognition for his performance in the NFL.

On Wednesday, the former Cyclone was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a performance against the Ravens that saw Nwangwu return a kick for a touchdown and pick up a first down on a fake punt.

The kick return touchdown was the first professional score of Nwangwu’s career. Iowa State’s all-time leader in kick return average took the opening kick of the second half 97 yards to the house to give Minnesota a 24-10 lead.

Shortly after, Nwangwu took a handoff on a punt and sprinted nine yards to give the Vikings a new set of downs, although they were forced to actually punt anyway a few plays later.

Nwangwu was taken in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Vikings after an Iowa State career that saw him become one of the most dangerous kick return men in all of college football.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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