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.
