First UK freshman named to the AP All-SEC team since Austin MacGinnis in 2014
University of Kentucky true freshman defensive lineman Deone Walker was voted Associated Press Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference, it was announced Monday. He joins Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss and Harold Perkins of Louisiana State as the only three freshmen represented and is the first UK freshman named to the AP All-SEC team since Austin MacGinnis’ first-team honor in 2014.
Walker, a 6-foot-6, 330-pounder from Detroit, finished the regular season with 39 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. He has also been named to the Pro Football Focus True Freshman All-America Team and was recently named the SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week on Nov. 28 for his role in UK’s 26-13 win over intrastate rival Louisville.
Additionally, Walker was a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award semifinalist and a Midseason True Freshman All-American by several outlets, including The Athletic, 247 Sports, On3.com and College Football News.
Walker and the Wildcats are headed to Nashville to take on Iowa in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on New Year’s Eve. The game will kick off at noon ET (11 a.m. Central time in Nashville) at Nissan Stadium in a game that will be nationally televised by ABC.