Deone Walker on Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy Watch Lists

Bronko Nagurski Trophy honors college football’s top defensive player, while Outland Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky sophomore defensive lineman Deone Walker has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Outland Trophy Watch List, it was announced Tuesday.

The Bronko Nagurski, awarded annually since 1993, is given to the nation’s top defensive player. The Outland Trophy, celebrating 78 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since.

Walker, a 6-foot-6, 330-pounder from Detroit, played in all 13 games with 11 starting assignments in his rookie season in 2022. Because of his size and physicality, he was an absolute force on the defensive line, finishing with 40 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss (third on the team), five quarterback hurries (second on the team), two pass breakups, one sack and one forced fumble.

He earned freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, The Athletic, College Football News, on3.com, 247Sports.com and Pro Football Focus. Additionally, he was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, was named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele’s College Football and was a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

Walker’s Watch Lists:

Lott IMPACT Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Outland Trophy

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2023 trophy on Nov. 15 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 4 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.

The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner, sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 10, 2024.

The Wildcats begin the 2023 season begins Sept. 2 in Kroger Field against Ball State. The Wildcats’ first three games of the season will be at home (vs. EKU on Sept. 9 and vs. Akron on Sept. 16). UK’s SEC home opener will be Sept. 30 vs. Florida.