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Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston and defensive lineman Deone Walker were among 75 Division I FBS players named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to college football’s top defensive standout every year since 1993, the Football Writers Association of America and Charlotte Touchdown Club announced Tuesday.
The juniors, both Detroit natives, each have a chance to become the second Wildcat to win the award, following in linebacker Josh Allen’s footsteps in 2018.
Hairston, a 6-foot-1, 186-pounder, ranked fifth in the nation last season after nabbing five interceptions, including four against SEC foes. He recorded two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns, in UK’s 45-28 win at Vanderbilt and was named the national defensive player of the week for his effort.
“We think the world of him,” Cats coach Mark Stoops told reporters at SEC Media Days. “He’s a difference-maker. He’s an elite player, a guy that will play on Sundays.”
Along with leading the league in takeaways, Hairston was eighth in the SEC with 11 pass breakups in 2023.
Walker, a 6-6, 348-pound behemoth, posted a team-best 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and eight quarterback hurries last year despite facing constant double- and triple-team attention. He also swatted two passes, including one that led to an interception return setting up a touchdown in UK’s 33-14 victory over Florida.
Walker, a former Freshman All-American, was named a permanent team captain last year and has started in 24 consecutive games — but he’s still hungry for more.
“It was really more so just having a bad taste in our mouths, leaving our seniors off with a (loss) last year,” Walker said of his motivation moving forward. “We’re just worried about week one. We’re worried about getting everything squared away and keep…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hairston-walker-among-nations-top-091600782.html
Author : Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Publish date : 2024-07-31 09:16:00
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