Kick returner Barion Brown and defensive lineman Deone Walker have been recognized for their outstanding performances this season, earning third-team All-America honors. Running back Ray Davis and defensive back Maxwell Hairston also received honorable mention. College Football Network made the announcement on Tuesday.
Brown, a sophomore from Nashville, led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and ranked second in the nation with an impressive 31.7 yards per kickoff return. He was the only player in the SEC, and one of five in the nation, to score two kickoff return touchdowns in the 2023 season. Brown’s remarkable achievements tied Kentucky records for most kickoff return touchdowns in both a season and a career.
In addition to his exceptional kick returns, Brown also led Kentucky in pass receptions with 40 catches, gaining 439 yards and scoring three touchdowns. He contributed on special teams with three punt returns for 51 yards and also had 10 rushing attempts for 121 yards.
Walker, a dominant force on Kentucky’s defensive line, hailing from Detroit, started in 24 of his 25 career games, including 23 consecutive starts for the Wildcats. This season, he recorded 51 tackles, the most for a UK interior lineman since 2015. Walker also led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and eight quarterback hurries. He showcased his athleticism by breaking up two passes, one of which led to an interception.
Davis, a graduate transfer from San Francisco, made a significant impact as a running back for the Wildcats. He gained 1,066 yards on 186 carries and scored 13 rushing touchdowns, ranking third in the SEC. Davis also contributed in the passing game with 317 receiving yards on 29 catches and seven receiving touchdowns. He set a new program record for single-season touchdowns (20) and scoring (120), while leading the SEC in both categories. Davis is the only active player and likely the only player in NCAA history to amass over 1,000 rushing yards at three different Division I schools. He became the first player in SEC history to achieve 1,000-yard seasons at two different schools within the league.
Hairston, a sophomore from Detroit, showcased his exceptional ball skills by recording five interceptions this season, the fifth-most in the nation. Four of his interceptions came during conference play. Hairston’s five interceptions tie for the fifth-most by a player in a single season in program history. He also tallied 131 interception return yards, the most since 1981. Alongside his takeaways, Hairston contributed with 64 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He had a memorable game against Vanderbilt with two interceptions returned for touchdowns, earning him National Defensive Player of the Week and National Defensive Back of the Week honors.
The Kentucky Wildcats, with a 7-5 record, will face the No. 22-ranked Clemson Tigers in the 79th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on December 29 in Jacksonville, Florida. The game kicks off at noon ET and will be televised on ESPN.
This Gator Bowl appearance extends Kentucky’s school-record streak of eight consecutive bowl appearances, all achieved under head coach Mark Stoops. Kentucky is one of only eight teams in the nation, and one of only three in the SEC, to achieve this feat. Fans can purchase tickets directly from UK Athletics to ensure seating with other Kentucky supporters and to help the university meet its bowl ticket obligations. For more information on the UK football team, visit ukathletics.com/football and follow the team on social media.
