Barion Brown, Deone Walker Named to Preseason All-America Teams
Kentucky wide receiver/return specialist Barion Brown and defensive tackle Deone Walker have been named to the Sporting News and USA Today Preseason All-America Teams, it was announced this week. The duo was named to the first team by Sporting News and second team by USA Today. Walker also was named to ESPN’s first team.
Brown, a 6-foot-1, 182-pound all-purpose player from Nashville, had a nation-high three kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2023. It also set a single-season UK record (former record two by Derek Abney in 2002) and tied the SEC record (Willie Gault, Tennessee 1980; Brandon Boykin, Georgia 2009; Warren Norman, Vanderbilt 2009; Evan Berry, Tennessee 2015).
His four career kickoff returns for TD also set a new UK record (former record three by Craig Yeast, 1995-98) and tied the Southeastern Conference career record shared with seven other players.
The lightning-quick playmaker’s 36.0 kick return average (16 returns for 576 yards) led the nation and set a new UK single-season record. The previous record was 30.42 (14 for 426 yards) by Calvin Bird in 1959. He was named a first-team All-American by the Sporting News and a second-team All-American by 247Sports and CBS Sports.
Brown also has caught at least one pass in 26 straight games, which is every game of his college career, and he currently has 1,167 career yards receiving, which ranks 28th in school history.
Last year, he had a team-high 43 catches for 539 yards and four scores. He also had 12 rushes for 147 yards and one rushing TD.
Brown, who is currently on the watch lists for the Jet Award and the Hornung Award, also received preseason All-America mentions from Athlon Sports (second team – RS; fourth team – WR) and Phil Steele (second team – RS).
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 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 in 2023.
He is currently on the watch lists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award. He has also received preseason All-America nods from Walter Camp (second team), Athlon Sports (second team) and Phil Steele (second team).
