Big Ten Network
Kalen Walker of Iowa successfully claimed the title of “Big Ten’s Fastest Man” over the weekend with his performance at the conference championships. The senior sprinter won the 100m event, besting seven other competitors in the field.
Included in that field was Oregon football player Rodrick Pleasant. The defensive back proved no match for Walker in his pursuit of victory.
Walker posted a 10.17-second time to just squeak by 6-foot-2 USC track star Eddie Nketia. Interestingly enough, Nketia also boasts experience on the gridiron having suited up one season at Hawaii.
The photo finish can be seen in the picture above. Walker edged Nketia out by 0.01 seconds!
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Kalen Walker became a Big Ten champion for the first time in his career. He helped the men’s team finish 7th in the field with his win earning nine points in the overall standings.
“It feels so good,” he said after the race. “I grew up in Iowa and always wanted to be a Hawkeye. I had no Division I offers out of high school… This is absolutely the best moment I’ve ever felt in athletics.”
Walker competed at the JUCO level before transferring to Iowa. He’s now reached the pinnacle of the sport as a senior. His story offered a stark contrast to his Oregon opposition.
Kalen Walker beat Rodrick Pleasant in the 100m.
Pleasant signed with the Ducks as both a track star and football player. A defensive back on the gridiron, he’s played in 11 games while recording five tackles and a forced fumble.
Pleasant was considered a four-star football prospect as a high schooler, but his outlook as a sprinter might’ve been even higher. His recruiting profile noted that incredible speed while highlighting his best attributes.
Pleasant has tremendous speed and is arguably the fastest player in the ’23 class. He had personal bests of 10.14 100m and 20.40 200m as a junior and will double-sport in college.
Pleasant was expected to make a major impact in the return game as well as on the defensive side of the ball in Eugene. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out. He entered the transfer portal this spring and will play for rival UCLA next year.
Pleasant is now finishing out his final year with Oregon track. He posted a time of 10.36 seconds and a sixth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships. His output helped the Ducks earn three points on their way to a team title. Still, it was far from the top individual finisher’s pace!
Kalen Walker was well ahead of Rodrick Pleasant in the 100m race. Pleasant is fast, but Walker is faster! A number of Iowa football fans already knew that coming into the championship weekend. They got to witness it in person last season.
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Walker ran a 4.15-second 40-yard dash last fall in front of 70,000 screaming Hawkeyes. For reference, the fastest 40-yard NFL Combine time ever recorded is 4.21.
Again, Rodrick Pleasant is fast. He might be the fastest player in college football. Track speed is different. Kalen Walker proved it this weekend!