Kentucky junior defensive tackle Deone Walker has been named to the 2024 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List, as announced Thursday by The Lombardi Award Committee.
The Lombardi Award™, established in 1970 in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi, honors outstanding linemen who exemplify Lombardi’s values of leadership, courage, performance, and discipline both on and off the field. The watch list highlights players who consistently demonstrate strength, agility, and football acumen in their respective positions.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 348 pounds, Walker, a defensive lineman from Detroit, is coming off a stellar sophomore season in 2023. Despite facing frequent double teams, he led Kentucky in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback sacks (7.5), and quarterback hurries (8). He also contributed two pass breakups, one of which led to a crucial interception in Kentucky’s win over Florida on Sept. 30, setting up a touchdown.
Walker was named one of seven permanent team captains last season and started all 13 games, extending his streak to 24 consecutive starts dating back to his freshman season in 2022. He set or tied career highs in multiple categories, including nine tackles at South Carolina, 4.0 tackles for loss at Missouri, 1.0 sacks at South Carolina, one pass breakup at Georgia, and two quarterback hurries against EKU.
His impressive 2023 season earned him first-team All-SEC honors from multiple selectors and a third-team All-America nod from the College Football Network.
Walker is also on the watch lists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, and Chuck Bednarik Award. Additionally, he has received preseason All-America recognition from Sporting News (first team), USA Today (second team), ESPN (first team), Walter Camp (second team), Athlon Sports (second team), and Phil Steele (second team).
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Lombardi Award, which has been presented in Houston, Texas since its inception. The 2024 award dinner is set for Dec. 11, 2024, with net proceeds supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
