Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Deone Walker was selected to the preseason AP All-America team on Monday.
Walker was a second team selection and the only Wildcats player to make the preseason AP All-America list. Michigan’s Mason Graham and Notre Dame’s Howard Cross III were AP first team selections at defensive tackle while Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams joined Walker as a second team selection.
It’s the latest in a long line of preseason accolades for the 6-foot-6, 348-pound Walker as he heads into his junior season in Lexington. The Detroit native has also been named to the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Bednarik Award, the Outland Trophy and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Additionally, Walker was named a second team preseason All-American by Walter Camp, Phil Steele and Athlon.
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Walker has started 24 consecutive games for the Wildcats and had 55 tackles (28 solo) with 7.5 sacks (eighth in the SEC) a season ago. He also had eight quarterback hurries and two pass breakups last season.
Recently, Walker was ranked the No. 21 overall player in college football entering the 2024 season by ESPN. CBS Sports ranked him the No. 40 overall player on Monday.
Kentucky opens the 2024 season against Southern Miss, Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on SEC Network.