Deone Walker

HISTORY FROM COLLEGE PROFILE:

 

2023 – Sophomore (Team Captain)
• Third team All-American (CFN)
• Fourth team All-American (Phil Steele)
• First team All-SEC (AP, Phil Steele, PFF)
• Second Team All-SEC Defense (Coaches)
• Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
• Bronko Nagurski Watch List
• Outland Trophy Watch List
• Named one of seven permanent season team captains
• Has started in 25 of 26 career games, including 24 straight
• Despite battling frequent double teams, led the team in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (8) in 2023 … Also added two pass breakups
• Ranked eighth in the SEC in sacks (7.5)
• Totaled a career-high nine tackles at South Carolina, including 2.0 TFL and a sack
• Played a dominant role in the defensive front during Kentucky’s 33-14 win over No. 22/23-ranked Florida … Made two tackles, including a quarterback sack, and a crucial pass breakup … In the first quarter, the 348-pound Walker dropped back in pass defense and helped break up a pass that was intercepted by UK and returned to the Florida 15-yard line, setting up the first touchdown of the game … On the next possession, his eight-yard sack helped force a punt that led to a Kentucky touchdown drive … Early in the second quarter, made a two-yard tackle, helping force a punt that led to another Kentucky TD … Part of the UK defense that limited UF to 14 points and 313 yards – 13.5 points and 99.5 yards below their averages entering the game
• Totaled a career-high 4.0 tackles for loss in the Missouri game … Tied for the third-most TFLs in a game in school history and the most since Josh Allen had 4.0 vs. South Carolina on Sept. 29, 2018
• Preseason SEC Media Days Second-Team Defense
• Preseason Coaches All-SEC Football Second-Team Offense

2022 – Freshman
• True Freshman All-American (On3.com)
• College All-True Freshman Team (PFF)
• First-team Freshman All-American (CFN)
• HM All-American (Phil Steele)
• All-SEC Freshman Team (Coaches)
• All-SEC Second Team (PFF)
• All-SEC Second Team (Phil Steele)
• Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist
• Midseason True Freshman All-American (The Athletic, 247 Sports, On3.com)
• Preseason True Freshman All-American (247 Sports, On3.com)
• SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week (11/28)
• Played in all 13 games, earning a starting spot in the 11 straight
• Totaled 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries (second-most on the team, two pass breakups and a forced fumble
• Recorded four tackles in his collegiate debut vs. Miami (Ohio) and also vs. Vanderbilt
• Had two tackles, including a TFL in the win at No. 12 Florida
• Earned his first collegiate start and charted three tackles and his first career pass breakup vs. Youngstown State
• Got another PBU in the win over Miss. State
• Charted a career-high six tackles vs. No. 1 Georgia and got a QBH
• Tied his career high with six tackles in the win over Louisville, including a TFL and a half sack … Also had a career-best two quarterback hurries and his first career forced fumble … Earned SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts

High School
• Rated a four-star prospect and the No. 23 defensive tackle recruit nationally by Rivals
• Four-star and No. 246 nationally among all recruits, No. 28 nationally at defensive tackle and the No. 4 prospect in Michigan as evaluated by on3.com
• A four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite, ranking as the No. 30 defensive lineman
• Three-year starter and letter winner at Cass Tech coached by Thomas Wilcher and Marvin Rushing
• Also played offensive tackle as a senior
• Combines massive frame with impressive agility
• Named to the Detroit Free Press All-State Dream Team in 2021
• Named First-Team All-State aŌ er totaling 43 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks in seven games
• Also played center on the basketball team
• Picked Kentucky over Georgia, Michigan, Missouri and Alabama

Personal
• Born in Detroit
• Son of Nikita and Sanquanetta Walker
• Has one sister, Nikita
• Left-hander
• Major is undecided

Deone Says
• His nickname is “D-1”
• He chose Kentucky because it felt like home
• After football his dream job is to be in real estate
• Three words to describe him are quiet, funny, and athletic
• What motivates him to work hard is his family

2022

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
3.5	5.0	39.0	0.0	2.0	1.0	11.0