Kentucky junior defensive tackle Deion Walker continues to pile on preseason accolades as he was named a preseason second-team All-American by Walter Camp, it was announced Monday.
Walter Camp is the oldest college football All-American team in the United States. The “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp, selected the first All-American team in 1889. A former athlete and football coach at Yale University, Camp is also known for developing scrimmage plays, set plays, numerical scoring for goals and tries, and the playing limit of 11 players per team.
Walker, a 6-foot-6, 348-pound defensive lineman from Detroit, is coming off a standout sophomore season in 2023. Despite frequently struggling with double teams, he led the Blue and White in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (8). He also recorded two pass breakups, including one in Kentucky's win over Florida on Sept. 30. The pass was intercepted by Kentucky and returned to the Florida 15-yard line for a touchdown.
The Wildcat was named one of seven permanent team captains last season and played and started all 13 games. In fact, he broke a record streak of 24 consecutive games started that dates back to his freshman season in 2022. Walker, who was also selected to the 2023 Lott Impact Trophy, Bronko Nagursi and Outland Trophy watch lists, set or tied single-game career highs in every category last season, including nine tackles at South Carolina, 4.0 tackles for loss (-7 yards) at Missouri, 1.0 sack (-6 yards) at South Carolina, one pass breakup at Georgia and two quarterback hurries (-10 yards) against EKU.
Walker was recently named to the 2024 Lott Impact Trophy Watch List and was also named a preseason second-team All-America by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation, an all-volunteer organization based in New Haven, was founded in 1967 to carry on Camp's ideals and continue the tradition of selecting an All-America team each year.
Typically announced in early December, the Walter Camp All-America team is selected by FBS head coaches and sports information directors.
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