| 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: |
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| Status: | Active |
| Highlights: |
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| 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]
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]
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]