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He’s played in 26 games with 24 starts during his two seasons at Kentucky and already had 40 solo tackles, 55 assists, 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 quarterback sacks going into his junior season. Deone Walker was a freshman all-American in 2022 and a third-team all-American in 2023.
So what can he do to be an even better pass rusher in 2024 even when he is being double- or triple-teamed by blockers?
“To be a better pass rusher I feel like just working on my footwork, working on my hand-eye coordination, just getting reps in, working on my pad level, just working on my get-off,” Walker said. “I really watch a mix of (NFL players) Calais Campbell, Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby. I just like to study those guys.”
His biggest goal for the season, though, is not about any specific numbers.
“Really just being more of a leader, being more outspoken, outgoing. I’m more of an introverted person, so really just being more outspoken, making sure people are where they need to be, making sure people are doing everything that they need to do in the classroom,” Walker said. “I feel like if we got everything else squared to the T, then on the field that’s going to come no matter what.”
Walker feels like the Kentucky defense under coordinator Brad White will have a lot of strengths in 2024.
“I say that we play together. We’re a bunch of experienced guys. We got years together, but on our defensive line we got me, Octavious Oxendine, Tre Rybka, Kahlil Saunders, Keeshawn Silver, Josaih Hayes. We got a bunch of guys,” Walker said.
“We got our secondary with three, four years of experience with Maxwell Hairston, who just had a break-out last year, Zion Childress, who has been a consistent player all year, Ty Bryant. He’s going to be a sophomore this year. Jordan Lovett. We got Pop and D-Jack in the middle.
“We’re a complete defense right now, but we just have to work on staying together and never wavering.”
3 Responses
Give him all the leeway he wants. Trust his instincts. He loves UK, loves the game of FB & is growing up into a responsible person caring for those around him. A leader on the field needs to have freedom when he has proven his ability to lead.
I think JJ Weaver has double digit sacks this year. He was close last year with 7.5. I think he breaks double digits this year. He might even break Josh Allen’s record.
For career sacks