Mark Stoops shares what stands out about Deone Walker

Deone Walker is one of the more exciting underclassmen prospects that Kentucky currently has in their building. However, while his size and impact are already enormous, it’s his potential as a leader that has caught the eye of Mark Stoops.

Stoops spoke highly of Walker during his press conference at the Wildcat’s media day last week. He said that, even as a true freshman a season ago, the 6’6, near 350-pound defensive lineman has an effect that goes beyond his proportions or play.

“The first thing I noticed with Deone is he’s got some natural leadership qualities. Everybody looks at his physical stature and the way he plays. But maturity and growth in that way is extremely important,” Stoops said. “He, even as a freshman, had a way, if you watch him, to lead without being overly vocal. I appreciate that about him because he’s really a team guy.”

Now, as he comes into his sophomore season, Stoops believes Walker is only more justified as a leader since he has spent even more time growing on campus and in their locker room.

“In this second season, I’m seeing him a little more vocal. I’m seeing him lead and be comfortable doing it,” added Stoops. “On the field, it’ll translate because he’s had a full offseason, he’s had the strength and conditioning.

Walker was productive right away for UK in 2022. He finished his freshman year with 40 tackles, a pair of pass deflections, a sack, and a forced fumble. He was the defensive line’s leading tackler and continuously posed as an enormous deterrent for the Wildcats up the middle.

Walker should only be that much better according to Stoops, though, as he steps into an even bigger, more developed role this fall.

“He looks quick, he looks in shape. We’ll keep on working but I expect big things out of him,” Stoops said.

Walker can be “as dominant a D-lineman there is”

You don’t get named to Bronko Nagurski, Outland and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists by accident. You’re not an All-American or All-SEC member as a freshman for no reason. Deone Walker accomplished that at Kentucky because he’s a freak athlete with immediate production and ridiculous upside.

Physically, his potential is clear. And he’s got the leadership qualities to get there, too. What his defensive coordinator is looking for, though, is the drive and work ethic to go from great to other-worldly.

“He can be as good as he wants to be. Like, he can be as dominant a D-lineman as there is in this league and really in this country,” Brad White said on KSR. “But the Josh Allens and Jamins (Davis), they had this drive to be great. They obviously had supreme talent, but they also had this drive and this work ethic and this discipline to be great. There are a lot of talented guys, but you have to have the discipline to take that thing to the next level. And that’s what we’ve preached to Deone.”

That’s not to say the staff doesn’t expect that out of Walker. It’s what they demand out of him because there’s way too much talent there to not make the jump he’s capable of making.