Eli Cox, Deone Walker Chosen for the Outland Trophy Watch List
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky football interior linemen Eli Cox and Deone Walker are two of the 75 men chosen for the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List, it was announced by the Football Writers Association of America on Tuesday.
Cox, a 6-foot-4, 311-pound super senior from Nicholasville, Kentucky, anchored an offensive line that was on the midseason honor roll for the Joe Moore Award in 2023, which honors the top offensive line in the nation. The adept blocker helped create holes for one of the top backs in the conference last season in Ray Davis, who rambled for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also blocked on an offensive line that allowed quarterback Devin Leary, a sixth-round draft pick, to record the second-most touchdowns in the SEC (23). Cox was named second-team All-SEC by league coaches.
Walker, a 6-foot-6, 348-pound defensive lineman from Detroit, is coming off a sensational sophomore season in 2023. Despite battling frequent double teams, he led the Blue and White in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (8). He also added two pass breakups, including one in Kentucky’s win over Florida on Sept. 30, which was intercepted by UK and returned to the UF 15-yard line that led to an eventual touchdown.
The Wildcat was named one of seven permanent team captains last season, as he went on to play in and start all 13 games. In fact, he improved his streak to 24 straight starts, a stretch dating back to his freshman season in 2022. Walker, who also was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List in 2023, set or tied single-game career highs in every category last season, including recording nine tackles at South Carolina, 4.0 tackles for loss (-7 yards) at Missouri, 1.0 sacks (-6 yards) last at South Carolina, one pass breakup last at Georgia and two quarterback hurries against EKU.
Walker earned first-team All-SEC honors from multiple selectors and was a third-team All-America choice by the College Football Network.
The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12, 2024. 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, Nebraska, on Jan. 22, 2025.
The 2024 Kentucky Football season tickets are on sale now, with prospective new season ticket holders able to work together with a personal ticketing consultant to compare and purchase available seat locations by submitting a request at this link or by contacting the UK Sales Office at (800) 928-2287 (Option 1). Fans are also able to access to the Kentucky Football Virtual Venue for 360-degrees views from inside Kroger Field.
Those who missed the renewal deadline but would still like to keep their season tickets are encouraged to reach out to the UK Sales Office at (800) 928-2287 (Option 1).
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