Deone Walker gets "told ya so" moment in pass coverage

Deone Walker is a mammoth of a man. At 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, he is a terror in the middle of the Kentucky defense. Quarterbacks tremble at the sight of the giant.

Typically that terror comes in the form of sacks and tackles for loss. Against Florida he also became a menace in pass coverage.

“I was just thinking, drop five yards and play big,” Walker recalled a first quarter play. “Any crosser, don’t chase (the player) and just go chase the ball.”

Walker played big, but not too big. Like a heat-seeking missile, he launched himself into a Florida wide receiver. The impact he delivered alongside Keaten Wade knocked the ball free and Trevin Wallace was waiting to pick off the pass.

“I seen that hit. Oh my goodness. That’s a big a boy hit,” said Wallace.

Big INT and return @wallaceTrevin.

📺 – @ESPN https://t.co/wBIloVVbzL pic.twitter.com/PZZg2Fxaei

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 30, 2023

Wallace returned it inside the red zone, setting up a Ray Davis touchdown two plays later. When the defense returned to the sideline, play-caller Brad White was prepared to eat some humble pie from his star defensive lineman who’s been pleading to play more in coverage for weeks.

“He’s been itching for it and asking for it,” White recalled. “He’s like, ‘Coach, I’m gonna make a play. I’m gonna get a pick.’ As soon as it happened, he came running to the sideline. He’s like, ‘I told you! I told you!’

“I said, ‘Listen, I’m not dropping you (in coverage) much, man. I like my job.'”

That’s because Deone Walker was equally as disruptive behind the line of scrimmage. He clogged rushing lanes and sacked Graham Mertz. For a time, the offensive line was giving him the Josh Allen treatment, holding onto his jersey for dear life.

Walker’s impact is felt every time he takes the field. After holding the Florida offense to only 2.4 yards per carry and 14 points, the Wildcats’ defense proved they’re the real deal.

“Our defense has been there,” said Walker. “People were saying that we couldn’t play a big team, we hadn’t really played anyone. Every team that we’ve played is a good team. They’re good in their own conference. Florida is a great team. But I just feel like the statement for today is that we can play against the best.”

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