Dec 29, 2023; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) is brought down by Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Deone Walker (0) in the third quarter during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Deone Walker DT Kentucky | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Deone Walker DT Kentucky
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/21/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.10 seconds (52%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.11 DOB: 03/11/2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | |
| Last Updated: 02/21/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.10 seconds (52%*) | |
| Age: 20.11 DOB: 03/11/2004 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 85.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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68% |
| Pass Rush: |
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83% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#67
Position rank:
#21
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1766 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Travis Jones - UConn |
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62% |
| Keeanu Benton - Wisconsin |
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60% |
| Phidarian Mathis - Alabama |
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60% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Deone Walker burst onto the SEC scene as an immediate impact player for Kentucky. The Detroit native earned a starting role just two games into his freshman campaign and never looked back, racking up 36 starts in 37 career games. Walker's journey from Cass Tech High School, where he dominated on both sides of the ball, to becoming a two-time team captain for the Wildcats speaks volumes about his development trajectory.The former basketball player's athletic background shines through in his surprising mobility, which helped him accumulate 132 tackles, 22 TFLs and 10 sacks over three seasons. His breakout sophomore year in 2023 turned heads across the conference as he led Kentucky with 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks despite facing constant double teams. That performance earned him First-team All-SEC honors and put him firmly on the NFL radar.
Walker capped his college career with another strong showing in 2024, earning Second-team All-SEC recognition while anchoring Kentucky's defensive front. His combination of size (6'7", 340 pounds) and movement skills made him a unique weapon for the Wildcats' defensive scheme, allowing him to line up anywhere from nose tackle to stand-up edge rusher in certain packages.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Rare blend of mass and mobility for his size - shows shocking lateral quickness when working down the line and can change direction without losing power or balance
- Natural power to stack and shed single blocks in the run game, using his 6'7" frame and heavy hands to control offensive linemen before violently disengaging
- Creates instant interior push with his bull rush, showing the ability to walk back centers and guards while keeping his feet churning through contact
- Surprising short-area quickness allows him to shoot gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield before blockers can properly engage
- Strong upper body and active hands help him defeat blocks both as a run defender and pass rusher - has shown an effective swim move
- Takes away multiple gaps with his sheer size and length, forcing runners to bounce outside where his deceptive mobility allows him to make plays
- Shows flashes of dominant potential when fresh, with the raw power to simply overwhelm offensive linemen who don't match his physical traits
- Three-year starter in the SEC who has proven he can hold up against elite competition while facing constant double teams
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Conditioning is a major concern - tends to wear down quickly and becomes much less effective in longer drives or when asked to chase plays
- Consistently plays with high pad level, negating his natural power and making him vulnerable against double teams and combo blocks
- Initial burst off the snap is inconsistent, sometimes appearing sluggish and allowing offensive linemen to establish position before he's fully engaged
- Hand placement in pass rush needs refinement - too often makes contact without a clear plan, leading to stalemates even against single blocks
- Motor runs hot and cold throughout games, showing concerning lapses in effort when fatigued or trailing offensive plays
Scouting Report: Summary
Walker hits the NFL draft as a Day 2 prospect whose film shows both tantalizing potential and clear limitations. His pass rush ability jumps off the tape - he's got legitimate juice as an interior disruptor when fresh. The power-quickness combination makes him a nightmare for single blocks, especially when he maintains proper leverage and keeps those feet churning through contact.The sweet spot for Walker early in his career will be as a specialized weapon in a heavy rotation. Give him 20-25 snaps per game where he can pin his ears back and hunt, especially in a multiple-front defense that lets him work from different alignments. His natural power and surprising lateral quickness create consistent problems for interior offensive linemen, particularly when he's schemed into one-on-one situations.
Landing spot matters here more than most prospects. The right defensive line coach needs to rebuild his body composition while maintaining that rare athletic profile that makes him special. If a team can unlock his stamina while preserving his movement skills, Walker could develop into one of those interior defenders that forces offensive coordinators to adjust their protection schemes. The foundation is there - now it's about transforming those dominant flashes into consistent disruption.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
Deone Walker percentiles vs other Defensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Deone Walker (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
50.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
17.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.