Oct 28, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Walter Nolen (0) moves up to the scrimmage line during the second quarter in a game against South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 10/14/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | |
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 10/14/2003 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 87.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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82% |
| Pass Rush: |
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79% |
| Run Defense: |
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95% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#16
Position rank:
#5
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 1241 | ||
ESPN RATING: 95/100
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247 RATING: 100/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Devonte Wyatt - Georgia |
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81% |
| Tyler Davis - Clemson |
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79% |
| Levi Onwuzurike - Washington |
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76% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Walter Nolen's path to becoming an elite defensive tackle prospect was anything but conventional. The former five-star recruit showcased his talents across three different high schools - starting at Olive Branch in Mississippi before stops at Saint Benedict and Powell High in Tennessee. At Powell, Nolen put together a dominant senior campaign with 17 sacks and 33 tackles for loss while leading his team to a state championship. His stellar play earned him Under Armour All-American honors and unanimous five-star status from every major recruiting service.After signing with Texas A&M, Nolen made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2022, appearing in 10 games with four starts. His sophomore season saw increased playing time with 10 starts in 12 games, but it was his transfer to Ole Miss in 2024 where everything clicked. Nolen exploded onto the scene as a key cog in the nation's top rush defense, earning Consensus All-American honors while racking up 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. His dominant junior campaign culminated in being named an Outland Trophy finalist and earning invitations to both the Senior Bowl and multiple award semifinalist lists.
The numbers only tell part of the story - Nolen's impact went far beyond the box score. He was the anchor of an Ole Miss defense that set school records with 52 sacks and 120 tackles for loss in 2024. His consistent disruption in the backfield, highlighted by multiple three-plus TFL performances, showed his ability to take over games. The transformation from highly-touted recruit to dominant SEC defender has positioned Nolen as one of the premier interior defensive line prospects in this draft class.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive first step off the snap allows him to consistently beat offensive linemen into their set and dictate initial engagement - shows up repeatedly against both run and pass
- Natural leverage winner who plays with outstanding pad level and core strength, allowing him to control the point of attack and reset the line of scrimmage against single blocks
- Displays impressive lateral agility and change of direction skills for a 305-pounder, making him a nightmare on stunts and twists where he can utilize his quickness
- Masterful at using his compact frame and natural leverage to get underneath taller guards, driving them backward while maintaining his balance and power through contact
- Shows advanced processing skills diagnosing zone runs, consistently maintaining gap discipline while working down the line to make plays in pursuit
- Brings a nasty demeanor to the trenches with a relentless motor that wears on interior offensive linemen over four quarters of play
- Versatile defender who can align anywhere from 0 to 5-technique, giving defensive coordinators flexibility in how to deploy him situationally
- Displays natural feel for rushing the passer with quick swim move and effective bull rush - consistently collapses the pocket even when not recording sacks
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can get caught playing too high at times, especially when fatigued late in games, allowing offensive linemen to get underneath his pads and control the point of attack
- Needs to develop more consistent hand usage in pass rush - too often relies on pure athleticism rather than refined technique to win his battles
- Below average arm length (33") shows up when trying to disengage from blocks - can get stuck on blocks longer than ideal when initial move doesn't win
- Shows some inconsistency maintaining gap discipline against power run schemes, occasionally getting washed down the line when playing too aggressively upfield
- Counter pass rush moves remain a work in progress - tends to stay with initial move too long rather than transitioning to secondary options
Scouting Report: Summary
The tape shows a defender ready to make an immediate impact as a disruptive three-technique in an attacking front. Nolen's combination of first-step explosiveness, natural leverage, and refined technical skills will allow him to be a day-one starter in the NFL. His versatility to play multiple techniques along the defensive front adds significant value in today's multiple-front defenses.While some teams may be concerned about his relative lack of length, Nolen's ability to consistently win with leverage and violent hands more than makes up for it. He projects as an ideal fit in a one-gap penetrating system where his quickness and power can be unleashed upfield. Smart defensive coordinators will move him around the formation to create favorable matchups against slower-footed guards.
The Ole Miss standout has shown steady progression throughout his college career, with his best football still ahead of him. His combination of physical tools, production against top competition, and room for continued technical refinement makes him a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect worthy of a first-round selection. Don't be surprised if Nolen develops into one of the NFL's premier interior defensive linemen by his second contract.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
Walter Nolen percentiles vs other Defensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Walter Nolen (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
27.1
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
8.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.