The most terrifying college football player heading into the 2024 season resides in the SEC, all 350 pounds of him

When you are 6-6 and 348 pounds (generous listing), you are going to automatically stand out from the crowd. It doesn’t take long to find No. 0 out there for the Kentucky defense. There aren’t many fields where Deone Walker isn’t the largest human in sight.

Walker can play the big man game, using his size and raw power to make for an imposing force at the point of attack. Then you see Walker move, which are some uncommon movement skills. This allows the Kentucky star to make a lot of plays in the backfield, and land at No. 1 on this preseason list of the most terrifying college football players returning for the 2024 season.

After a good true freshman season in 2022, Walker turned into a superstar last season. In 13 games in 2023, he recorded 55 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. Those numbers are tremendous for interior players, working from a position that is rarely ever a playmaking position. Walker has changed those expectations.

Heading into the 2024 season, there is an argument that Walker could contend to be the top overall defender in all of college football. With NFL scouts already having high opinions on Walker, there is a lot on the line this season. There’s no sneaking up on players this fall. Everyone is going to know where Walker is at all times.

There’s a chance that Walker could be even better in the fall, and his production might not match his sophomore campaign. Playing with better pad level, and more consistent technique should be the biggest areas of attention this fall. If Walker does make those improvements, he could be close to unstoppable. Kentucky will need him to be to navigate a difficult SEC schedule.

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