Five Wildcats to Attend SEC Joint Leadership Council
Five University of Kentucky Wildcats will participate in the Southeastern Conference’s Joint Leadership Council on July 18-19 at the SEC League Offices in Birmingham, Alabama[1][2]. The council is an annual event that brings together student-athletes from each SEC institution to discuss issues related to the student-athlete experience and provide feedback to the conference office.
The five Wildcats selected to attend this year’s council are:
1. **Deone Walker** – Junior defensive lineman
2. **Maxwell Hairston** – Junior defensive back
3. **Barion Brown** – Junior wide receiver and return specialist
4. **Marques Cox** – Senior offensive lineman
5. **Jamon “Pop” Dumas-Johnson** – Senior linebacker
These student-athletes were chosen based on their leadership roles within the Kentucky football program and their commitment to representing the university and their teammates at the conference level.
Deone Walker
Walker, a 6-foot-6, 345-pound native of Detroit, is coming off a standout sophomore season in 2023. He led the Wildcats in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback sacks (7.5), and quarterback hurries (8). Walker was named one of seven permanent team captains last season and has started 24 consecutive games dating back to his freshman year in 2022[4].
Maxwell Hairston
Hairston, a 6-1, 186-pound defensive back from Detroit, had a breakout season in 2023. He recorded five interceptions, which tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history. Hairston’s two interceptions returned for touchdowns against Vanderbilt tied an SEC single-game record[4].
Barion Brown
Brown, a 6-foot-1, 182-pound all-purpose player from Nashville, had a nation-high three kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2023, setting a new single-season UK record. He also led the nation in kickoff return average (36.0) and has caught at least one pass in every game of his college career so far[4].
Marques Cox
Cox, a 6-5, 318-pound offensive lineman from Peoria, Illinois, played a key role on an offensive line that helped create holes for one of the top rushers in the SEC last season and allowed quarterback Devin Leary to throw for 25 touchdowns[4].
### Jamon “Pop” Dumas-Johnson
Dumas-Johnson, a 6-1, 245-pound linebacker from Hyattsville, Maryland, transferred to Kentucky in 2024 after three seasons at Georgia. He played in 38 career games with the Bulldogs and brings valuable experience and leadership to the Wildcats’ defense[4].
The SEC Joint Leadership Council provides these student-athletes with an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the student-athlete experience and to provide valuable feedback to the conference office. The council also serves as a platform for the student-athletes to network with their peers from other SEC institutions and to develop their leadership skills.
“This is a great honor for these five young men to represent the University of Kentucky at the SEC Joint Leadership Council,” said Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. “They are all outstanding leaders on and off the field, and I know they will do an excellent job of representing our program and our university.”
The Wildcats are coming off a successful 2023 season, in which they finished with a 9-4 record and a victory in the Music City Bowl. With several key contributors returning, including these five student-athletes, the Wildcats are poised for another strong season in 2024.
As the Wildcats prepare for the upcoming season, they will continue to focus on developing their leadership skills and fostering a strong team culture. The SEC Joint Leadership Council is just one example of how the university and the conference are committed to supporting the growth and development of student-athletes both on and off the field.