Mark Stoops had to throw Deone Walker out of Saturday's scrimmage

Deone Walker is on a path to being a future first-round NFL Draft pick. The 6-foot-6, 350-pound sophomore defensive lineman is unlike anything Kentucky football has seen in the Mark Stoops era. He’s a beast physically but moves with the grace of a quick-footed wide receiver. In fact, he’s been so dominant as of late that Stoops had to throw Walker out of a scrimmage just so the offense could get some practice in.

Following Saturday’s closed scrimmage, Stoops spotted Walker strolling behind members of the media and joked with his superstar lineman.

“There’s big Deone over there. Deone 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.”

Saturday was the second and final scrimmage of fall camp. Between now and the start of the 2023 season on Saturday, Sept. 2 against Ball State, practices throughout the week will shift to the afternoon as classes begin this Monday. There’s been plenty of talk out of camp surrounding the improved play of Kentucky’s offensive line, but Walker is still the star in the trenches.

A True Freshman All-American in 2022, Walker is set for an even bigger campaign in 2023. He’s coming off a rookie season that saw him appear in all 13 games (starting 11 of them) while recording 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one sack. Looking ahead to year two, Walker has already been tabbed to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defensive player) and Lott IMPACT Trophy (defensive player with biggest impact) watch lists.

Kentucky’s defensive line, powered by Walker, figures to be one of the team’s primary strengths this season. There is talent spread across that room and depth at multiple positions. It’s not just Walker making life tough for Kentucky’s Big Blue Wall, which should pay off for the offensive line down the road once they face opposing defensive lines — there won’t be many better in the country than the Wildcats.

“It helps a lot,” Stoops said about the defensive line challenging the offensive line.

Throughout the offseason, Walker has been praised by nearly every coach and player. Stoops has been high on Walker’s continued growth as a leader while defensive coordinator Brad White is looking for Walker to go from “great to elite”. The Detroit (MI) Cass Tech product is going to be a household name in college football this season.

“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 during Media Day earlier this month. “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.

“In this second season, I’m seeing that a little more vocal. I’m seeing him lead and be comfortable doing it. On the field, it will translate. He’s had a full offseason. He’s had the strength and conditioning. He looks quick. He looks in shape. We’ll keep on working.”

Everything is coming together for Walker to have an All-American level season for the Wildcats this fall.