Deone Walker

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is blunt when talking about Deone Walker. "He's an offensive lineman's worst nightmare," Stoops said at the 2024 SEC Media Days. Stoops saw Walker's destructive ability firsthand day after day in practice. In fact, heading into the 2023 season, Stoops had to kindly ask Walker to step out of the drills because his offense couldn't get any plays off. “I had to throw you out of the scrimmage today so we could get a play off,” Stoops laughingly told reporters. “He’s been a force. He’s hard to deal with.” As a sophomore, Walker totaled 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups, one of which led to an interception. He was named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press. “The first thing I noticed with Deone is he’s got some natural leadership qualities," Stoops said. "Everybody looks at his physical stature and the way he plays. But maturity and growth in that way is extremely important. 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."