Five players highlight preseason All-SEC honors for Kentucky football

Five members of the Kentucky football program were honored during SEC Media Days this week, highlighted by a few first-team selections.

Junior defensive lineman Deone Walker and junior defensive back Maxwell Hairston led the group as First-Team defense, with junior receiver and returner Barion Brown being named to the First Team as a return specialist. Brown also was named to the Third Team as an all-purpose player.

Senior offensive lineman Marques Cox and senior linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson received Third-Team honors.

Walker has been a terrific player for Kentucky in his few seasons in Lexington, something that's expected to be no different in 2024. The 6-foot-6, 345-pounder led Kentucky in tackles for loss (12.5), sacks (7.5) and QB hurries (8 last year). While some may depend on Kentucky's overall record, he's clearly in the conversation for SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season.

Joining Walker was Hairston who was one of the top defenders in all of college football a season ago, ranking fifth in the country with five interceptions. Those were also fifth-most in Kentucky football history. He also had eight passes defended which ranked eigth in the SEC.

As for Brown, he emerged as one of the best returners in college football last season, leading the nation with three kickoff returns for touchdowns and a 36.0 yard kick return average. His four return TDs in his career also set a Kentucky football record.

As a receiver, Brown has caught at least one pass in 26 straight games.

Marques Cox is Kentucky's left tackle and is coming off of a terrific season in 2023. He was a midseason Joe Moore Award addition -- given to the top offensive lineman in the nation. He was part of the UK offensive line helping Ray Davis become one of the top rushers in the conference.

As for Johnson, the Georgia transfer spent three seasons with the Bulldogs, totaling 126 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Last year, despite missing four games, had 34 tackles, 5.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Kentucky has a lot of talent -- that's not a surprise heading into the season. But, it's about turning that talent into success.

The Wildcats are coming off of a 7-6 record in 2023 and a loss in the Gator Bowl -- its second straight loss in a bowl game.