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Did the media get it wrong by not putting Kentucky sophomore defensive lineman Deon Walker on the preseason all-Southeastern Conference first team?
It’s not like the media forgot about the 6-6, 330-pound Walker who started 11 of 13 games last season for Kentucky as a true freshman and had 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble. He was named to the preseason second team in voting by SEC media members.
He earned freshman all-American honors from six organizations last year and was also named second team all-SEC by the Associated Press, Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele’s College Football.
All four players on the all-SEC first team last year are now on NFL rosters after being picked in the 2023 NFL draft.
So who did the media pick ahead of Walker on the preseason all-SEC first team?
— Mekhi Wingo, LSU. The junior was a second team all-SEC pick last year and also a third-team All-American. He started 13 games last season and had 47 tackles, six tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and five quarterback hurries.
— Mykel Williams, Georgia. He only started two games on Georgia’s national championship team in 2022 but he had 28 tackles, including three quarterback sacks. In the 15 games he played, he had a team-high 31 quarterback hurries as a true freshman.
— Mason Smith, LSU. He was a freshman all-American in 2021 when he had 19 tackles, five tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks. He missed all but one quarter in 2022 due to a knee injury.
— Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia. The senior started 15 games last year and had 32 tackles, including five tackles in the win over Kentucky.
All four first-team picks certainly have impressive credentials but so does Walker and while there’s nothing wrong with being a preseason second-team selection, my guess is that is only going to be more motivation for Walker to have an even bigger 2023 season.
2 Responses
Deon Walker deserves better than "second team". He is destined to become an All American at Kentucky, is an outstanding young man, and is truly a rising star in the SEC. He promises to have a great NFL career as well, and hopefully his success at UK will lead to more great players coming to Kentucky from Detroit. Go Deon!
Walker is a wrecking ball, he is special. This slight should light more fire under him in 2023. Tee off on UT when that cocky outfit comes calling young man.