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
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| Last Updated: 01/10/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 10/14/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 01/10/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | |
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 10/14/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 89.5 / 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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83% |
| Pass Rush: |
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79% |
| Run Defense: |
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95% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#11
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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77% |
| Daviyon Nixon - Iowa |
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76% |
| Tyler Davis - Clemson |
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74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Walter Nolen's path to the NFL draft reads like a who's who of Southern football powerhouses. The Tennessee native dominated the high school ranks at Powell High School, where he racked up 93 tackles and 17 sacks en route to a state championship. His suffocating defensive presence earned him five-star status and the distinction of being ranked as the No. 2 overall recruit in his class – rarified air for an interior defensive lineman.After choosing Texas A&M, Nolen wasted no time making his presence felt in the SEC. His freshman campaign saw him earn four starts and the defensive Top Newcomer award, but it was his sophomore season where the light really came on. Starting 10 games, he terrorized offensive lines to the tune of 37 tackles and 4 sacks, showcasing the raw power and explosiveness that had made him such a coveted recruit.
The decision to transfer to Ole Miss for his junior year proved to be the final piece of his collegiate puzzle. In Oxford, Nolen refined his technique while maintaining the nasty edge that's become his calling card. His journey from Friday night lights in Tennessee to the SEC's biggest stages has prepared him for the next step – though his best football clearly lies ahead.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Unleashes an explosive first step that consistently beats centers' snap timing, creating immediate backfield disruption that forces offenses to adjust protection schemes
- Displays rare flexibility for a 305-pounder, showing the ankle mobility to bend and torque through contact while maintaining his power base
- Brings violent, heavy hands that shock offensive linemen on initial contact – watch the Texas game where he repeatedly stunned their veteran interior line
- Changes direction like a much smaller man, showing impressive lateral quickness that makes him a nightmare on stunts and twists
- Possesses the raw power to collapse double teams, consistently resetting the line of scrimmage two yards deep when he fires out low
- Shows advanced processing speed diagnosing screen plays and misdirection, rarely getting caught upfield or losing containment
- Maintains a relentless motor through extended drives, creating second-effort pressures when initial rush stalls out
- Demonstrates scheme versatility with experience playing every technique from 0 to 5, though he thrives as a penetrating 3-tech
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pad level rises after initial contact, particularly when working against longer-armed guards who can get into his frame and control his chest
- Allows his base to narrow during extended rushes, compromising his anchor and causing him to get displaced laterally against combo blocks
- Relies too heavily on pure power moves, needing to develop counters when initial bull rush gets stalled out at the point of attack
- Shows occasional lapses in gap discipline when hunting splash plays, creating cutback lanes that savvy backs can exploit
- Hand placement can get wild in pursuit, leading to missed tackles in space that should be routine stops for a player of his caliber
Scouting Report: Summary
The team that drafts Walter Nolen is getting a day-one impact defender against the run with untapped potential as a pass rusher. His combination of first-step explosion and raw power will translate immediately to disrupting blocking schemes and collapsing pockets from the interior.Nolen profiles best as a penetrating three-technique in a four-man front where his ability to fire upfield and create havoc can be maximized. While he has the strength to play head-up in odd fronts, it would be a waste of his disruptive talents. Smart defensive coordinators will move him around the formation on passing downs, using his quickness and motor on stunts and twists to create favorable one-on-ones.
The ceiling here is a Pro Bowl caliber interior defender who commands double teams and opens up opportunities for everyone around him. His technical refinement will determine how quickly he reaches that potential, but the physical tools and competitive makeup are everything you want in a top-15 pick. Don't overthink this one – Nolen is going to be a problem for NFL offenses for the next decade.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Walter Nolen (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
33.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*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.