Tag: Deone Walker

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.

Five Kentucky Wildcats named preseason All-SEC

The five players are Deone Walker, Barion Brown, Maxwell Hairston, Marques Cox and Jaman Dumas-Johnson.

Following the conclusion of SEC Media Days in Dallas last week, five Kentucky players were named to the 2024 Preseason Media Days All-Southeastern Conference teams on Friday.

The list includes junior defensive lineman and preseason Walter Camp selection Deone Walker and junior defensive back Maxwell Hairston — both First Team selections.

Junior wide receiver Barion Brown was named a First Team selection as a return specialist and a Third Team all-purpose selection. Two other Kentucky starters were named Third Team selections, as well: senior offensive lineman Marques Cox and senior linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

Walker had a breakthrough 2023 season, leading the Wildcats in tackles for loss (12.5), sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (8).

Brown led the nation with three kickoffs returned for touchdowns in 2023. He caught 43 passes for 539 yards and four touchdowns, including a 60-yard touchdown catch against Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

Hairston was fifth in the nation in interceptions last season with five, including two returned for touchdowns in Kentucky’s 45-28 win at Vanderbilt on September 23. He returned an interception 29 yard for a touchdown in the first quarter and later returned one 54 yards in the fourth quarter for the Wildcats’ final score.

Cox started all 13 games for Kentucky at left tackle a season ago.

Johnson, who transferred from Georgia in December, played in eight games before suffering a season-ending forearm injury in the Bulldogs’ win over Missouri on Nov. 4. He finished the season with 34 tackles (29 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two pass breakups.

Johnson enters the 2024 season with 125 career tackles (83 solo), 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and seven pass breakups with one interception and a forced fumbled.

2025 NFL mock draft: Vikings get help along defensive line

Pro Football Network writer Owain Jones gives the Minnesota Vikings some help at defensive tackle in his latest 2025 mock NFL Draft.

The Minnesota Vikings defense was much improved last season under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. One area where the defense can still get much better, though, is along the defensive line, specifically at defensive tackle. The Vikings’ defense could be markedly improved by applying consistent pressure on the inside.

Luckily for the Vikings, they land the help they need for the future in the latest 2025 mock NFL draft from PFN. Of course, this is all hypothetical at this stage, but if things were to play out as writer Owain Jones has laid out, winding up with Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker could help the team’s defensive front immensely. According to Jones:

Deone Walker is a physical specimen at 6’6” and 348 pounds, and he has the production to match, with 7.5 sacks in 2023. The Kentucky DT combines his size with otherworldly athleticism, and his explosive first set is difficult for offensive linemen to handle.

If Walker can consistently play with a lower pad level he will be considered a unique prospect with his physical abilities.

Walker is an absolute beast on the inside at Kentucky, and he would serve the Vikings well, likely in a rotational role, to begin his career. Later, he could serve as the next Vikings stalwart defensive tackle after Harrison Phillips calls it a career.

Deone Walker, Maxwell Hairston earn Top 100 ratings in EA Sports College Football 25

Walker rates as the No. 21 overall player in College Football 25’s Top 100 players.

Wednesday was another eventful day for EA Sports College Football 25 and those looking forward to playing the first new NCAA football video game in over 10 years.

College Football 25 unveiled its Top 100 individual player ratings. For Kentucky, defensive end Deone Walker was unsurprisingly rated the Wildcats’ best player. Walker received a 93 overall rating, which makes him the No. 21 highest-rated player according to EA.com. Only Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. was rated higher among defensive ends (95 rating, No. 4 overall).

Walker was one of two Kentucky players to make the Top 100 ratings. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston (No. 61 overall) was the other.

Among individual attributes assigned by EA, Walker received a 71 rating for speed, an 83 rating for acceleration, a 97 rating for strength, and a 96 rating for awareness.

Hairston was given a 91 rating for speed, a 93 rating for acceleration, a 60 rating for strength, and an 88 rating for awareness.

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II were the three highest-rated players by EA. They each received a 96 overall rating.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders was the highest-rated quarterback at No. 17 overall. Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes also had the highest-rated wide receiver in Travis Hunter (No. 6 overall).

College Football 25 will be released in full July 19.

Follow us @UKWildcatsWire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Kentucky Wildcats news, notes and commentary.  

Two Wildcats mentioned in ESPN top five at each position

Kentucky football star Deone Walker mentioned as a top five draft prospect at his position.

The 2024 Kentucky football team has some very good players on the roster. It’s expected that, barring injuries, they’ll have multiple players drafted next year, with a couple of potential first rounders. ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid recently ranked their top five at each position, and the Wildcats had a couple of players mentioned.

The player most figure to be a first round pick is defensive lineman Deone Walker. Both Miller and Reid rank him as the number two defensive tackle in the class. Miller had this to say about him:

The Kentucky defensive tackle is huge (6-foot-6, 348 pounds) and reminds me of last year’s Outland Award winner, T’Vondre Sweat, in many ways. Like Sweat, Walker has to prove he can handle stacking run gaps and getting after the quarterback. His 7.5 sacks last season showed potential, but he must do more to be this class’ DT2. I’m projecting he will take that next step and emerge as an elite interior defender.

Related: Deone Walker a Walter Camp preseason All-American

Outside of Walker, the other Wildcat to be mentioned was center Eli Cox. A part of the veteran offensive line, Cox is poised to be the anchor in the middle. Reid mentions him as a player to watch.

Cox was a staple on Kentucky’s front last season, starting the first three games at guard before moving back to center. He is a tough and durable blocker at the point of attack, and his experience at all three interior line spots bodes well for the next level. The 6-foot-4, 311-pound Cox was more consistent at center, showcasing play strength and the ability to win quickly in short areas.

There are other players who missed the top five list, but who should be very good for Kentucky this season. The SEC is loaded, but the Cats have a talented team that could make some noise, and could be a factor in next year’s NFL draft.

Kentucky’s Deone Walker named Walter Camp Preseason All-American

Deone Walker continues to earn preseason recognition.

Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker was selected as a Preseason Second Team All-American by Walter Camp on Monday.

Walker, a 6-foot-6, 348-pound lineman from Detroit’s Cass Technical High School, is entering his junior season with the Wildcats after registering 55 tackles (28 solo), 7.5 sacks, and two pass breakups during his sophomore season in 2023. He had 12.5 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries.

His selection to the Walter Camp list, the nation’s oldest college football All-America team, is the latest accolade for Walker, who was also named to the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List as well as garnering preseason All-America nods from both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.

Walker recorded a season-high nine tackles (eight solo, four TFL) in Kentucky’s 17-14 loss to South Carolina last season. In the Wildcats’ 33-14 victory over Florida in Lexington on September 30, he broke up a pass from Gators quarterback Graham Mertz that was intercepted by Trevin Wallace and returned to the Florida 15-yard line.

Two plays later, Ray Davis caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Devin Leary to give Kentucky an early 10-0 lead en route to a 23-7 halftime advantage.

Walker closed the season with four tackles and two sacks against Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

Follow us @UKWildcatsWire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Kentucky Wildcats news, notes and commentary.  

Michigan football makes top 5 for coveted in-state product

He’s one of #Michigan’s top targets in 2022. #GoBlue

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Detroit (Michigan) Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher might be on the Michigan State staff, but when it comes to one of the Technicians that Michigan football has long been targeting, it makes little difference.

Of course, MSU can’t reel in anyone from Cass Tech for two recruiting cycles, since Wilcher is in an off-field role, but the Wolverines have done a solid job showing their high interest in three-star defensive lineman Deone Walker.

Despite being a three-star rated No. 365 overall, according to the 247Sports composite, Walker has 29 reported offers, including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, LSU, Penn State and Texas. On Wednesday, Walker released his top five schools and Michigan made the cut, along with Missouri, Arizona State, Georgia and Kentucky.

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Walker is listed at 6 feet, 6 inches, 340 pounds and certainly could fit a big need when it comes to what the Wolverines are looking to do up front on the defensive line under new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

247Sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu says Walker has the size and ability to play on either side of the line of scrimmage:

Massive prospect who could be a defensive lineman or offensive tackle in college. On defense, he can play nose or maybe be an end in an odd front. For his size, he shows agility not many that big have. Can change directions and has a good spin move. Does a decent job with his hands in disengaging but can still get more violent there. Would like to see him play at a lower weight, which would help with explosiveness and get-off. Less experienced as an offensive tackle but has upside there. Still has developmental work to do but ceiling is very high.

The 247Sports composite also has Walker as the No. 33 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 11 player in the state of Michigan.

Michigan controls the 247Sports crystal ball with all eight of the predictions for where Walker will land.

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Cass Tech trio to visit Michigan State upon visits opening June 1st

Michigan State will get a trio of Cass Tech players on an unofficial visit as the dead period is set to conclude.

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The NCAA dead period is set to be lifted on June 1st, allowing for visits to start once again. The Michigan State staff will look to start the month off with a bang, getting several top targets on campus.

A big focal point for Michigan State’s in-state recruiting is the city of Detroit, and Coach Tucker is addressing that right away.

The Spartans will be hosting a trio of Cass Tech players to East Lansing on Tuesday including 2022 3-star lineman Jackson Pruitt and Deone Walker and 2023 4-star lineman Jalen Thompson. Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher will also be there.

Spartan commits Gavin Broscious and Kris Phillips will be on campus to welcome the trio.

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Michigan State listed in top 13 for 2022 3-star DT Deone Walker from Detroit Cass Tech

Michigan State is one of 13 teams still in the running for one of the state’s top defensive tackles in the 2022 class.

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Michigan State is one of 13 teams still in the running for one of the state’s top defensive tackles in the 2022 class.

Deone Walker of Detroit Cass Tech High revealed his top 13 schools list on Monday, which included Michigan State. The Spartans are joined by Florida, Arkansas, LSU, Michigan, Kentucky, Arizona State, Penn State, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Missouri and Pitt on Walker’s top 13 list.

Walker is massive — listed at 6-foot-6 and 304 pounds. He’s ranked as the No. 32 defensive tackle and No. 363 overall recruit in the country for the 2022 class. He’s also ranked as the No. 11 prospect in Michigan by 247Sports.

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Texas extends an offer to big-bodied defensive tackle Deone Walker out of Michigan

The Longhorns extended an offer to 2022 four-star defensive tackle Deone Walker on Friday. Take a look at his ratings here.

Texas continues to target big-bodied lineman on both sides of the ball. Continue reading “Texas extends an offer to big-bodied defensive tackle Deone Walker out of Michigan”