Kentucky’s formidable sophomore defensive lineman, Deone Walker, has been named to two prestigious college football award watch lists: the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Outland Trophy Watch List. The announcement was made on Tuesday, further affirming Walker’s reputation as a rising star in college football.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually since 1993, is a highly coveted honor presented to the nation’s top defensive player. Adding to the accolade, Walker has also been placed on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, an award with a rich 78-year history. Instituted in 1946 by Dr. John Outland, it is the third-oldest major college football award and is given annually to the best interior lineman in college football.
Walker, hailing from Detroit, stands an imposing 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 330 pounds. As a rookie in the 2022 season, he participated in all 13 games, including 11 starting assignments. Walker’s size and physical prowess have made him a force to be reckoned with on the defensive line. He concluded his freshman year with 40 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss (third on the team), five quarterback hurries (second on the team), two pass breakups, one sack, and one forced fumble.
His remarkable rookie year performance did not go unnoticed. Walker was recognized with freshman All-America honors by a variety of organizations, including the Football Writers Association of America, The Athletic, College Football News, on3.com, 247Sports.com, and Pro Football Focus. Moreover, he was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, was named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, Pro Football Focus, and Phil Steele’s College Football. Walker was also a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
As Walker enters his sophomore year, these watch list nominations signify a promising future for the talented defensive lineman. His continuing presence on the Kentucky team is anticipated to bring significant impact to their defensive line in the coming season.
