Deone Walker named Preseason Walter Camp All-American

Posted by author July 1, 2024 Football

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WYMT) – Kentucky junior defensive tackle Deone Walker continues to pile up the preseason accolades as he was named a Preseason Second Team All-American by Walter Camp, it was announced Monday.

Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest college football All-America team dating back to 1889.

In his sophomore season, Walker, a 6-foot-6, 348-pound defensive lineman from Detroit, led Kentucky in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (8). He also added two pass breakups, including one in Kentucky’s win over Florida on Sept. 30, which was intercepted by UK and returned to the UF 15-yard line, leading to an eventual touchdown.

Walker was one of seven permanent team captains last season. He started all of UK’s 13 games, setting or tying single-game career highs in every category. In Kentucky’s game at South Carolina, Walker recorded nine tackles and one sack. Against Missouri, he had 4.0 tackles for loss while picking up one pass breakup at Georgia and two quarterback hurries versus EKU.

Walker was recently named to the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List and earned preseason second-team All-America nods from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

This All-American accolade is named after Walter Camp who was a former Yale University athlete and football coach. Camp is credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side, deeming Camp the “Father of American Football”.

The Walter Camp All-America teams are selected by the FBS head coaches and sports information directors.