Tag: Deone Walker

Deone Walker ranks as the 11th best player in the country by PFF

Deone Walker is ranked as one of the top players in college football by PFF.

Kentucky’s Deone Walker has gotten plenty of recognition so far this preseason. The defensive tackle is coming off of a terrific 2023 season, and has garnered plenty of accolades already.

Walker recorded 55 tackles last year, including 12.5 for a loss. He added 7.5 sacks, despite being 6’6″ and 345 lbs.

Heading into this season, Walker has already made the preseason watch lists for the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, the Nagurski Award, and the Outland Trophy. He was also named a preseason All-American by ESPN and The Athletic.

Related: Two Kentucky football players in ESPN’s top 100

Now, another outlet has posted some love for the Kentucky defensive tackle. Pro Football Focus recently released their top 50 players for the 2024 season, and Walker made the list, coming in at number 11. They had plenty of interesting things to say.

Walker is an alien sent to Earth to terrorize SEC backfields. He’s 6-foot-6 and 348 pounds and revealed in a recent PFF interview that he aims to run in the “high 4.6s” in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. For reference, the record for an interior defensive lineman is 4.67 seconds by Calijah Kancey, who is nearly 70 pounds lighter than Walker.

Most defensive tackles of Walker’s size are limited to being run-stuffers. While he earned an 81.7 PFF run-defense grade last year, Walker is also an incredibly productive pass-rusher. His 51 pressures in 2023 were the most by any interior defensive lineman in college football, while his eight sacks led the Power Five.

Big things are expected out of Walker for 2024, and he could become a very high draft pick if he plays well. Fans should be excited, and PFF thinks he’s going to be a star.

Two Kentucky players make ESPN list of Top 100 college football players for 2024

Deone Walker and Maxwell Hairston made ESPN’s Top 100 college football players list for 2024.

ESPN unveiled its Top 100 rankings of the best college football players heading into the 2024 season on Thursday.

Two Kentucky players made the list, and it’s two you can probably guess: defensive tackle Deone Walker and cornerback Maxwell Hairston.

Walker was ranked the No. 21 overall player, one spot below Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter at No. 20 and one spot ahead of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe at No. 22.

Walker has been named to a plethora of preseason awards watch lists, including the Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy.

RELATED: Maxwell Hairston, Deone Walker on preseason Bednarik Award Watch List

ESPN said of Walker’s spot at No. 21:

“The 6-6, 348-pound junior has started 24 straight games. Despite frequent double-teams, Walker led the Wildcats with 12.5 tackles for loss last season and finished eighth in the SEC with 7.5 sacks. He was a first-team All-SEC selection by the AP and is equally disruptive against both the run and pass. Walker also has incredible footwork.”

For his part, Hairston was ranked the No. 84 overall player in ESPN’s Top 100 list, one spot below Georgia running back Trevor Etienne.

Per ESPN’s ranking of Hairston:

“The junior from Michigan was ranked outside the top 100 cornerback prospects when he signed with the Wildcats in 2021. Last season, he led the SEC and ranked fifth nationally with five interceptions. In a 45-28 win at Vanderbilt, Hairston returned two interceptions for touchdowns and had a career-high three pass breakups.”

Hairston started all 13 games in 2023 and had five interceptions and 11 passes defended. He had six pass breakups to go with 68 total tackles and a forced fumble.

ESPN ranked Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. at No. 1 overall in their Top 100 rankings.

 

Deone Walker named to ESPN’s 2024 preseason All-America team

Deone Walker was one of two players chosen as a First Team selection at defensive tackle.

ESPN unveiled its 2024 preseason college football All-America team Wednesday. Kentucky’s Deone Walker made the list as one of four defensive tackles named.

Walker was a First Team selection at defensive tackle, as was Michigan’s Mason Graham. Clemson’s Peter Woods and Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams were named Second Team All-Americans by ESPN.

ESPN’s Chris Low writes of Walker.

“The 6-6, 348-pound Walker is a Big Blue mountain in the middle of Kentucky’s defensive line. He was a first-team All-SEC selection a year ago as a sophomore and will be among the most coveted interior defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL draft. Despite battling constant double-teams, Walker led the Wildcats with 12.5 tackles for loss, including 7.5 sacks. For a man his size, he’s a remarkable athlete and ran the 100 meters in high school.”

Walker and cornerback Maxwell Hairston made the preseason Bednarik Award watch list earlier this week.Walker was also named to the Bronko Nagurski watch list and the Outland Trophy watch list.

The Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football while the Outland Trophy is awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman, be it offense or defense.

Earlier this summer, Walker was also named a preseason Second Team All-American by Walter Camp.

Vikings get defensive help in latest Draft Network mock draft

The Vikings sold a lot of the groceries in the 2025 NFL Draft for assets in 2024, but they still have their first-round pick.

The Minnesota Vikings sold a lot of the groceries in the 2025 NFL Draft for assets in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they still have their first-round pick, which means mock drafts matter. The Vikings and their first-round pick are going to be very valuable. Could they trade back? Could they sit where they are and get a value?

It’s the NFL draft, anything is possible.

The Draft Network published the latest mock draft within the industry, with some interesting picks. One common theme, though, is that defense rules the draft. A year after the offense was the king of the draft, the other side of the ball gets a turn, and that is where they have the Vikings going.

They gave the Vikings help along the defensive line in the form of Deone Walker from Kentucky. He is arguably the most impressive player in the entire draft due to how he moves as a defensive lineman with the size he possesses.

We wrote a scouting report on him from our summer scouting and thought he would be a great fit for the team in the future. Damian Parson sells us on the idea of Walker alongside the Vikings’ established edge rushers.

“Dallas Turner looks the part from his first NFL action in Week 1 of the preseason. Pairing him with Deone Walker with Brian Flores calling the defensive plays will make opposing QBs lose sleep at night.”

A defensive front of Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner, and Deone Walker is a modern-day version of the Purple People Eaters. What more could you ask for?

Two Kentucky Wildcats make USA Today Sports All-SEC football teams

Kentucky football had two players make the USA Today Sports preseason All-SEC team.

The SEC is tougher than ever heading into the 2024 season, and Kentucky plays one of the toughest schedules in all of college football.

The Wildcats have a talented team, with an offense full of weapons, particularly at wide receiver. The defense, meanwhile, is experienced, and has the potential to be elite.

Even on a team with lots of talent, certain players tend to stand out. Kentucky is no different. A few players are viewed as among the best in the conference and are being recognized leading up to the season.

Related: Kentucky football unranked in first AP Top 25

On Monday, USA Today Sports released their preseason All-SEC first and second teams. A couple of Wildcats were honored, and were on the list.

Defensive tackle Deone Walker was named to the second team. He had a tremendous season, with 12.5 tackles for a loss, and 7.5 sacks. He’s a potential first round pick in 2025.

The other Wildcat to make the team was Barion Brown, who is their second team all-purpose player. Brown is half of one of the best receiving duos in the SEC, and also a dynamic return man.

The season is set to begin soon, and both Walker and Brown, along with others, should be big contributors. Time will tell if they can lead the Wildcats to another bowl game.

Maxwell Hairston, Deone Walker on preseason Bednarik Award Watch List

Two Kentucky standouts have been named to the preseason Bednarik Award Watch List.

Two Kentucky standouts were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List on Monday: defensive tackle Deone Walker and cornerback Maxwell Hairston.

As a sophomore in 2023, Walker had 55 tackles and led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss to go with seven sacks and eight quarterback hurries.

The Bednarik Award is the fourth preseason award watch list that Walker has been named to. He was also named to the watch lists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy (presented to the nation’s best interior lineman).

For his part, Hairston returns for his junior season after totaling five interceptions in 2023, good for fifth in the nation. In the Wildcats’ 45-28 victory over Vanderbilt on Sept. 23, Hairston had two interception returns for touchdowns.

Hairston has also been named to the preseason watch lists for the Jim Thorpe Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

The Bednarik Award has been presented annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994. It is named in honor of the late College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.

NC State’s Payton Wilson Jr. won the Bednarik Award last season.

Kentucky opens the 2024 season at Kroger Field against Southern Miss, Aug. 31 at 7:45 p.m. ET . The game can be seen on SEC Network.

ESPN analysts give their power rankings for all 16 teams of the SEC

ESPN analysts took a deep dive into the SEC, including giving their power rankings.

The SEC is always an interesting conference during football season, and this year, it figures to be even more fascinating.

The additions of Oklahoma and Texas make the SEC even more difficult that it has been, and gives the conference even more national title contenders. Where does Kentucky fit into the new-look SEC?

ESPN analysts Chris Low and Mark Schlabach took a look at the SEC on Thursday, examining Playoff, the top players, and their power rankings. Kentucky comes in down the list a little bit at tenth. They had this to say about the Wildcats:

Mark Stoops is the dean of SEC coaches, entering his 11th season at Kentucky. He’s won 10 games twice in his last five seasons, but is looking to regroup after going 7-6 a year ago and nearly being named the Texas A&M coach.

Low and Schlabach also listed a Kentucky linebacker as one of the conference’s top transfer additions. Jamon Dumas-Johnson came over from Georgia, where he had 24 starts. He should be one of the SEC’s best linebackers.

Related: Analyst says Kentucky is best team in Bluegrass State

Defensive lineman Deone Walker was also mentioned as on of their favorite players in the league.

The massive anchor of Kentucky’s defense is going to be one of the most coveted players in next year’s NFL draft because of his size (6-6, 345 pounds) and athleticism. He had 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 8 quarterback hurries last season, despite facing myriad double-team blocks. He is already being compared to NFL starters Derrick Brown and Dexter Lawrence.

It’s an exciting season for the SEC as a whole. Kentucky has a brutal schedule, and getting back to a bowl game won’t be easy. However, they have a talented and experienced team, and will be fun to watch, no matter what happens.

 

Steelers mock draft update lands Pittsburgh franchise quarterback

Here is our latest mock draft update before the Steelers first preseason game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a week away from their first preseason game and short of a last-minute trade, will go into the season with the best 53 players of their current 90-man training camp roster. This gives us a solid look at the team’s roster needs for next season.

You pair that up with pending free agents and it’s not hard to put together some preliminary needs for free agency as well as the 2025 NFL draft. Here is out latest updated five-round mock draft for next year that includes a franchise quarterback and an elite interior defensive lineman.

First round – DT Deone Walker, Kentucky

If Walker is on the board, he is too much of a force to pass up.

Second round – QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

We love Milroe’s athleticism and potential and it is highly unlikely Russell Wilson and Justin Fields return for 2025.

Third round – CB Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon

The Steelers are thin at cornerback and Jabbar Muhammad is an athletic marvel who is fearless in coverage.

Fourth round – WR Tory Horton, Colorado State

Huge target with lots of raw talent and upside.

Fifth round – RB Tahj Brooks, Texas A&M

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are both set to hit free agency and Tahj Brooks is a wrecking ball with elite speed.

Fifth round – EDGE Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

Excellent developmental pass rusher with a short, powerful frame and nice burst.

If the Steelers can land their future starting quarterback and the eventual replacement for Cam Heyward in this draft it would certainly keep this team’s window for playoff success open.

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Two Kentucky football stars make preseason award watch lists

Deone Walker and Max Hairston are on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski award.

Kentucky football players Deone Walker (defensive lineman) and Max Hairston (cornerback) have made the Bronko Nahurski Award Watch List for the 2024 season.

The two Kentucky Wildcats are among the 75 players under consideration for the award.

The Bronko Nagurski Award was created in 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America. It’s given each year to the best defensive player in college football

Related: Recruit Jayden Clark still in contact with Kentucky

Walker played in 26 games with 24 starts during his two seasons at Kentucky and already had 40 solo tackles, 55 assists, 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 quarterback sacks going into his junior season. He was a freshman All-American in 2022 and a third-team All-American in 2023.

Hairston had 68 tackles (third on the team) and a team-high six pass breakups to go along with his SEC-high five interceptions. He also had a one forced fumble while being named second team All-SEC.

Both Kentucky Wildcats were preseason All-SEC selections. Walker is a Walter Camp Preseason All-American and appeared on the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list.

Kentucky Defensive lineman Deone Walker sat down with The Draft Network

Kentucky football star Deone Walker sat down with The Draft Network to talk about a number of subjects.

The 2024 Kentucky football team has a number of very talented players who could be early round draft picks. Defensive tackle Deone Walker might be the one who goes the highest though.

Last season, Walker had a breakthrough campaign with 55 tackles, including 12.5 for a loss. He also showed an improved pass rush ability, recording 7.5 sacks, which is a lot for a man listed at 6’6″ and a robust 345 lbs.

Walker will have big expectations in 2024, from fans and from himself. He sat down with Justin Melo of The Draft Network and spoke about a number of subjects, including his immense size and how he moves so quickly being that big. He told Melo:

I’ve always been that way (laughs). Going back to middle school and high school, I was always the fastest at footwork drills. My high school coaches always kept me moving. Keep your feet moving, Deone. I’ve always been the biggest guy. My junior and senior years, I was the biggest guy, but I always kept moving.

The potential first round draft pick also said he would like to work his way down to 325 lbs.

Related: Five Wildcats named preseason All-SEC

Walker also said his favorite defensive lineman was Calais Campbell, another tall defensive lineman, saying:

I love his game, I love watching his tape. We’re around the same size, maybe I’m a little bigger than him. He’s shown that you can be 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7 and still play the game at a high level. He’s shown that he can use both his hands and his feet to defeat blocks. I do the same thing. It doesn’t have to just be brute force all the time.

When asked how he would take another step going into 2024, Walker had this to say:

I’m more-so working on being a better leader off the field. I’m trying to show my young teammates how to do things the right way. I’m trying to show them how to be great in the classroom. If you’re great in the classroom, you can play stress-free football. It’s about taking care of your business off the field so you can be your best self on the field.

Over the course of the interview, Walker spoke about his best games at Kentucky so far, playing with Andru Phillips and Trevin Walker last season, and his coaches. The full interview can be found here, but his closing quote should get Big Blue Nation excited. He finished the interview by saying:

We’re about to have a great season.