Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker entered the NFL Combine as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 draft class, a 6-foot-6, 340-pound behemoth with a rare blend of size and athleticism. Touted as a top-5 defensive tackle prospect heading into the event, Walker’s combine showing left scouts with more questions than answers. While his on-field production at Kentucky screams elite potential, his limited participation and underwhelming measurable results dropped him to No. 36 among DT prospects based purely on combine stats—a stark contrast to his top-15 ranking fueled by game tape. With Kentucky’s pro day looming, Walker has work to do to reclaim his pre-combine hype.
Walker opted out of several key drills at the combine, skipping the 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and bench press. For a player of his size, these choices raised eyebrows. The 40-yard dash and 10-yard split, in particular, could have showcased his burst—something his film suggests he possesses in spades. His absence from the bench press also left scouts guessing about his raw strength, a critical trait for a defensive tackle expected to anchor against double teams. Instead, Walker limited his testing to the broad jump and vertical jump, posting an 8’8” broad jump and a 25-inch vertical. While these numbers aren’t disastrous, they’re pedestrian for a prospect of his pedigree, ranking him well below the explosive thresholds that typically define top-tier DTs.
On the field, Walker’s tape tells a different story. Over three seasons at Kentucky, he racked up 132 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, with a standout 2023 campaign where he led Power Five interior linemen with eight sacks. His ability to disrupt backfields, shed blocks, and dominate one-on-ones has kept him in the top-10 conversation among draft analysts, even post-combine. That production contrasts sharply with his combine metrics, suggesting his game speed and power don’t fully translate to raw testing numbers—or that he simply didn’t prioritize the event. Scouts love his basketball-honed agility and massive frame, but the combine was a missed opportunity to silence doubters about his consistency and conditioning.
Kentucky football's star DT's drill results scream mid
Walker’s broad jump of 8’8” and 25-inch vertical aren’t terrible for a 340-pounder, but they pale next to elite DTs like, say, Calijah Kancey, who leapt 9’4” and 33.5 inches at 281 pounds in 2023. For context, Walker’s marks align more with mid-tier prospects than the top-5 billing he carried into Indianapolis. His decision to skip the agility drills—like the 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle—further muddies the picture, as those tests could’ve highlighted the lateral quickness that flashes on film. Without those data points, his combine stat line feels incomplete, dropping him to No. 36 among DTs when judged solely by the numbers.
Kentucky’s pro day now looms as Walker’s redemption shot. If he can clock a sub-5.0 40-yard dash—a rumored target he’s hinted at chasing—or show off his strength with a big bench press, he could vault back into the top-5 DT discussion. His film already screams “difference-maker,” but the NFL craves measurable confirmation. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks, who’ve been mocked to take him in the first round, will be watching closely. Walker’s combine may have dimmed his star momentarily, but his on-field havoc and pro day potential keep him firmly in the draft spotlight. For now, he’s a tale of two prospects: a tape darling with a testing asterisk.