Deone Walker is Leaving Kentucky for the NFL

UK Athletics Photo

Kentucky football has taken hits via the transfer portal and even lost two high school players who had verbally committed to UK only to flip to other schools. Now the Cats have lost one player to the NFL draft.

This was no surprise when junior Deone Walker announced Friday that he would put his name into the draft. He was projected to be a high first-round draft pick when the season started but mock drafts now have him going in the second round.

He could still boost his draft stock at the NFL Combine or other workouts before the draft.

“To BBN, I want to thank you for all of the great Saturday environments over the last three years,” Walker posted on social media announcing his departure from UK. “I haven’t felt anything but unconditional love from this fanbase and team.

“I’m so grateful that you let me in with open arms and allowed me to live the dream I’ve had since I was a little kid. I’m proud to be a Wildcat and I know that I made the right choice being here since high school.”

Some speculated he might transfer from UK after last season to play for a more high profile school where he also likely would have received more NIL money. Instead, he stayed loyal to UK only to have the Cats go 4-8.

Walker had 37 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 11 games this season. The 6-3, 345-pound defensive lineman normally was double teamed to allow teammates a chance to make more plays and that hurt his stats. But his overall play also seemed to dip as he was not always double teamed and his stats dropped after having 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2023.

Kentucky’s defensive front has been wiped out for next year. Nose guard Keeshaw Silver is in the transfer portal while Tre’Vonn Rybka has no eligibility left. Backup Octavious Oxendine is also graduating.

Kentucky will return seniors Josaih Hayes and Kahlil Saunders to lead its defensive front provided they do not decide to enter the transfer portal.