Kiyaunta Goodwin, Deone Walker make Preseason Freshman All-American Teams

On3 imageby:Nick Roush08/18/22

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The star-studded 2022 Kentucky football recruiting class continues to draw praise from across college football. On Thursday Kiyaunta Goodwin and Deone Walker were named to True Freshman All-American Teams by two separate media outlets.

Goodwin, a 6-foot-8, 350-pound offensive tackle from Louisville received an All-American projection from ESPN. The highest-ranked signee in Kentucky football history, Goodwin is a five-star product that can fill in a position of need for the Wildcats at left tackle. Tom Luginbill and Tom VanHaaren share their assessment:

The Wildcats are replacing four of five starters on the offensive line, so Goodwin’s arrival this spring could not have come at a more opportunistic time. The 6-8, 330-pound left tackle should be a mainstay for Kentucky for at least the next three seasons. He has All-America potential. — Tom Luginbill

Goodwin doesn’t lack size, nor does he lack strength, which is typically a big part of what holds a freshman back from starting right away along the offensive line. Combine that with the need at Kentucky, and Goodwin should have a productive season for the Wildcats. — Tom VanHaaren

All-American honors are not new to Kiyaunta Goodwin or his new Kentucky teammate, Deone Walker. 247 Sports is the second outlet to tab him as a Preseason True Freshman All-American. On3 recognized the versatile Detroit defensive lineman earlier this week. One of the most talked about players during Kentucky football fall camp, the early buzz around the building validates Walker’s preseason accolades.

A massive presence inside at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, Walker has created buzz since he enrolled this summer. Walker has taken plenty of first-team reps this fall at nose guard. And while he isn’t a lock to start – Mark Stoops often leans toward upperclassmen – Walker is guaranteed to play early and often. Said Stoops of Walker: “Deone can be a wrecker up front.” The Detroit native is one of the rare interior linemen who should see the field early and often.

247 Sports

Hours before the two talented Wildcats officially pledged their allegiance to Kentucky, the towering linemen posed for a photo. Years from now, this could prove to be a pivotal turning point for Mark Stoops’ program.

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