Spartan Standouts Kenneth Walker and Bryce Baringer Set for Super Bowl Clash in Seahawks-Patriots Rematch
Twelve years ago, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots delivered one of the most dramatic-and debated-finishes in Super Bowl history. Now, those two franchises are set to run it back, and this time, two former Michigan State Spartans are right in the thick of it.
Kenneth Walker III and Bryce Baringer, college teammates in East Lansing just a few years ago, are now on opposite sidelines with a shot at the sport’s biggest prize. It’s a full-circle moment for both, and a proud one for Spartan fans watching from afar.
Walker’s Time to Carry the Load
For Seattle, Kenneth Walker’s journey to the Super Bowl has been anything but smooth-but that’s what makes it all the more impressive.
After spending much of the regular season sharing the backfield with Zach Charbonnet, Walker was thrust into a lead role when Charbonnet went down with a season-ending injury in the final week of the season. Since then, Walker has answered the call in a big way, becoming a focal point of the Seahawks’ playoff run.
He wasted no time making an impact in the NFC Championship Game, punching in a touchdown on Seattle’s opening drive against the Rams. That followed a two-touchdown performance in the Divisional Round, where he showcased the same blend of vision, burst, and toughness that made him a star in the college ranks.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve seen this version of Walker before. Spartan fans remember his electric 2021 season-1,636 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns, and a five-touchdown masterpiece against Michigan that instantly etched his name into rivalry lore. That was a season where Walker didn’t just carry the ball-he carried the team.
Now, he’s doing it again. And if the Seahawks find themselves knocking on the goal line late in the game, you can bet Walker will be the one they trust to finish the job.
Baringer’s Steady Rise to NFL Success
On the other sideline, Bryce Baringer is quietly making his own mark in New England. The Patriots’ rookie punter has been one of the most consistent special teams weapons in the league this season, and his path to the Super Bowl is the kind of story that doesn’t always grab headlines-but deserves plenty of recognition.
Baringer was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft (192nd overall), and right away, he brought the same precision and poise that made him a standout at Michigan State. During his final college season in 2022, he earned First Team All-Big Ten honors, was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year, and was a Consensus All-American. NFL scouts took notice, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who had Baringer pegged as the top punting prospect in his class.
Since arriving in Foxborough, Baringer has been exactly what the Patriots needed-reliable, consistent, and unflappable under pressure. And in a game where field position could swing momentum in an instant, don’t underestimate the value of a punter who can pin opponents deep and flip the field when it matters most.
A Spartan Showdown on the Biggest Stage
This Super Bowl matchup isn’t just a rematch of one of the NFL’s most iconic finishes-it’s also a showcase of what Michigan State football has produced in recent years.
Walker and Baringer were teammates on the 2021 Spartans squad that finished 11-2, and now they’re both 60 minutes away from a Super Bowl ring. Only one will walk away with it, but both have already proven they belong on the game’s biggest stage.
One more Spartan nearly joined them-linebacker Jordan Turner, who transferred to MSU last season and later signed with the Denver Broncos. He appeared in seven games this year after going undrafted, but his season ended just short of a trip to the big game.
For now, the spotlight belongs to Walker and Baringer. Two former Spartans, two different roles, one shared goal: Super Bowl glory.
And come game time, don’t be surprised if one of them makes the kind of play that ends up in NFL lore. Again.