Walter Nolen

Walter Nolen, Mississippi, DT, 6'3⅝", 296 lbs, Junior

Draft Profile

Frankly: Well traveled through three high schools and two colleges, but made an impression at every stop  -- including consensus All-America with 14 TFL and 6.5 sacks for Ole Miss last season. Should find a home and earn a starting job as a top 25 pick. 

Overview

Walter Nolen’s college career has positioned him as one of the most NFL-ready defensive tackle prospects in this draft. His combination of explosive first-step quickness, natural leverage, and refined technique makes him an ideal fit as a disruptive three-technique in an attacking front. Nolen’s versatility to play multiple alignments along the defensive line provides significant value in today’s modern defenses, which emphasize flexibility. While his shorter arm length may raise concerns among some evaluators, his ability to win with violent hands and low pad level more than compensates for this limitation. Nolen’s quickness and power enable him to exploit favorable matchups, making him a natural fit for one-gap penetrating schemes. Smart coordinators will move him around to maximize his impact, capitalizing on his ability to challenge slower-footed guards. As a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect, Nolen is primed for a first-round selection and has the potential to become one of the NFL’s premier interior defensive linemen by his second contract.

Background

Walter Nolen’s journey to becoming an elite defensive tackle prospect began in Memphis, Tennessee, and took him through three high schools, showcasing his talent along the way. His senior season at Powell High in Tennessee cemented his dominance, with 17 sacks and 33 tackles for loss that led his team to a state championship. A five-star recruit, Nolen continued his trajectory at Texas A&M, where he made immediate contributions as a freshman. However, his true breakout came after transferring to Ole Miss, where he became the centerpiece of the nation’s top rush defense in 2024. With 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and Consensus All-American honors, Nolen capped a junior season that demonstrated his ability to impact games far beyond the stat sheet. Anchoring a defense that set school records for sacks and tackles for loss, Nolen’s progression from highly-touted recruit to dominant SEC defender is a testament to his work ethic and talent.

Scouting Report

Pros:

Walter Nolen’s explosive first step allows him to dictate engagements at the snap, consistently beating offensive linemen to their spots. He is a natural leverage player, maintaining low pad level and core strength to reset the line of scrimmage against single blocks. His lateral agility and change-of-direction ability make him exceptionally effective on stunts and twists, creating disruption along the line. Nolen’s compact frame and balance enable him to overwhelm taller guards while driving them backward. He demonstrates advanced processing skills, diagnosing zone runs and maintaining gap integrity while pursuing plays down the line. Nolen’s relentless motor and physicality wear down opponents, ensuring consistent impact over four quarters. His positional versatility allows him to align anywhere from 0-tech to 5-tech, giving defensive coordinators creative deployment options. As a pass rusher, Nolen combines a quick swim move with a powerful bull rush to collapse the pocket effectively.

Cons:

Despite his strengths, Nolen must address a few areas of concern. He can play too upright at times, particularly late in games when fatigued, allowing opponents to gain leverage and neutralize his impact. His reliance on raw athleticism occasionally leads to inconsistent hand usage, reducing the effectiveness of his rush moves. Finally, his below-average arm length can make it harder to disengage from blocks when his initial move fails.

HISTORY FROM SCHOOL PROFILE:

2023 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 12  regular season games, starting 10 games ... Was tied for third on the team with 4.0 sacks on the season ... Helped lead the way with seven tackles, including 1.0 for loss, in the season-opening win over New Mexico ... Finished the Miami game with two tackles and a breakup ... Finished the win over Auburn with four tackles, 2.0 TFL and 1.5 sacks ... Helped lead the way with six tackles, tallying 3.5 TFL in the win over Arkansas ... Had a pair of tackles, including a solo sack against Alabama ... Made four tackles at Tennessee ... Had three tackles at Ole Miss ... Made three tackles in the win over Mississippi State ... Had four takedowns, including 1.0 for loss, against ACU ... Earned the Defensive Trenches Award at the annual team banquet. 

2022 (FRESHMAN): Played in 10 games, making four starts ... Finished his collegiate debut with three tackles and a QB hurry against Sam Houston ... Made four tackles against Arkansas ... Recovered a fumble at Mississippi State ... Forced a fumble and made three tackles at Alabama in his first start ... Had a pair of solo takedowns at South Carolina ... Made five tackles, including 1.5 for loss, against Ole Miss ... Tallied four tackles against UMass ... Had a solo sack for a 5-yard loss in the win over No. 6 LSU ... Received the defensive Top Newcomer award at the annual team banquet.  

HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Matt Lowe at Powell High School ... Rated as a 5-star prospect by all three major outlets ... Was a 2022 Under Armour All-American ... As a senior, compiled 93 tackles, 33.0 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hurries, 17.0 sacks, six forced fumbles, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries ... Led Powell to a 13-2 record and a Class 5A state championship ... In 2019, played at Olive Branch High, helping lead team to a 9-4 record and the second round of the Mississippi 6A playoffs.