Mark Stoops ranks Deone Walker as his best ever interior lineman
Kentucky played a half and a little bit of change on Saturday in the season opener, with a lightning storm impacting the debut for talented defensive lineman Deone Walker in his junior season.
Walker didn’t record a statistic in the contest.
Expect that to be an absolute rarity for the 6-foot-6, 345-pound phenom on the inside. Walker is capable of so, so much more. Coach Mark Stoops praised him ahead of a game against South Carolina this weekend.
“I mean Deone is certainly a player. As I mentioned with some of their edge guys and Deone internally for us, has that ability to change the outcome of the game,” Stoops said on an SEC teleconference call on Wednesday. “So he can be very disruptive. But he is unique in that the great size that he has he’s very light on his feet. Great change of direction. Can play multiple positions even as big as he is. He’s so disruptive for being such a big guy and again being so nimble in certain ways and athletic and twitchy.”
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Deone Walker has been placed on many watch lists going into the season, including the preseason first-team All-American squads for Sporting News and ESPN. He’s a second-teamer for Walter Camp, Athlon, Phil Steele and USA Today.
The reason is pretty straightforward: He wrecks games.
Last season Deone Walker recorded 55 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks and two passes defended.
Stoops was asked where he stacked up against other Kentucky players he’s had and his answer made it clear why Walker is so revered.
“We like having him, that’s for sure. As far as rank, it’s hard to compare,” Stoops said. “He’s different position, but Josh Allen was back last week. He was arguably one of the greatest players to play at Kentucky. He was the national defensive player of the year, consensus national defensive player of the year. And hopefully Deone will continue to progress toward that.
“Interior player, I think it’s fair to say he’s the best one I’ve had to this point. Interior defensive lineman for sure.”
Deone Walker and Kentucky will be back in action against South Carolina this week with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC.
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