Deone Walker tabbed to The Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List

Surprise, surprise — Deone Walker has cracked yet another Preseason Watch List.

This time, Big Deone is up for The Lombardi Award, which recognizes the nation’s top linemen or linebacker from all 10 FBS conferences and independent teams. The massive defensive tackle is one of 90 players across the country to crack this year’s Preseason Watch List, which was released on Thursday. Walker is also one of 19 SEC players to make the list.

Along with The Lombardi Award, Walker has also been named to watch lists for the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and Outland Trophy. He’s been tabbed as a preseason All-American by multiple outlets and as a preseason First-Team All-SEC member, as well.

Named after legendary coach Vince Lombardi, this award was established in 1970. Over the last 20 years, this honor has gone to the likes of AJ Hawk, Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, and many more future NFL players.

.@deonewalker0 has been named to the @LombardiAward Preseason Watch List.

📰🔗 – https://t.co/PC4gV8ZBKY pic.twitter.com/IWSDfVdTjs

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 15, 2024

Walker is coming off a sophomore campaign in 2023 that saw him make a couple of All-American squads while also earning First-Team All-SEC honors from a handful of outlets. A team captain for the Wildcats, he led UK in tackles for loss (12.5), sacks (7.5; 8th-most in SEC)) and quarterback hurries (8). He’s now started 25 of his 26 career games at Kentucky, including 24 straight.

If all goes according to plan this season, Walker should establish himself as a clear-cut first-round NFL Draft pick next summer — if he hasn’t already. At 6-foot-6, 345 pounds, he demanded double teams all of last season but still managed to post impressive numbers. A recent ESPN Mock Draft had Walker slotted at No. 21 overall to the Miami Dolphins.

Big things are expected out of #0 this season.