Ole Miss' Walter Nolen is one of the most well-rounded defensive tackles in the 2025 NFL Draft. In two years at Texas A&M, Nolen recorded 12 tackles for loss and five sacks, but following a transfer to Ole Miss, Nolen finished the 2024 season with 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Player Profile: Walter Nolen | DT | Ole Miss
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 296
Arm Length: 32.5”
40-Yard Dash: 4.95u
Style: 3-Tech/4i
Class: Junior
Awards:
2024 Consensus All-American
2024 First-Team All-SEC
Strengths:
Plays with a high physicality level that shows up on tape.
Understands leverage and uses his frame to beat taller IOL.
Versatility on the DL allows him to line up from a 0-5 (or wider)
High football IQ allows him to easily diagnose run plays; gap discipline and angles.
Nolen is explosive off the snap and uses his athleticism to beat his opponent.
Lateral quickness is exceptional.
Can collapse the pocket from the inside.
His run-defending ability gives teams the flexibility to use him as a three-down DT.
Weaknesses:
Short arms don’t allow him to shed blocks as easily as other DTs.
Hand quickness/power isn’t what you would like from a first-round DT.
Gets vertical out of his stance too soon.
Doesn’t get creative with pass-rush moves; tends to stay with the first option until it becomes too late.
Summary: As a former top-two recruit in the 2022 class, Nolen was able to put together a very productive collegiate career that included 114 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. Nolen checks all the boxes (production, traits, and athleticism), and all signs point to him becoming a long-term starter for whatever team takes the swing on him.
NFL Player Comparison: Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver
Draft Grade: Mid-to-Late First Round
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