Tag: Walter Nolen

49ers add big pass rusher in ESPN NFL mock draft

The former top recruit recorded 6.5 sacks for the Rebels during the 2024 campaign.

The college football regular season is officially over and bowl season is here. With the regular season wrapped up, many of the top prospects from around the country are beginning to declare for the draft if their team was not selected for the first-ever 12-team playoff.

While it’s becoming clearer which players will be on the board for April’s 2025 NFL draft, mock drafts are beginning to stack up with predictions for the San Francisco 49ers‘ first-round selection. According to Yates, Nolen is a “disruptor.” Yates praised Nolen’s pass-rushing skills and strength on the interior of the defensive line.

In the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Field Yates, the 49ers addressed the defensive line in the first round. With the No. 15 overall selection, Yates penned Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen to the 49ers.

Via ESPN:

Nolen is a disruptor with excellent interior pass-rushing traits, tallying 6.5 sacks this season. He has very good strength, an explosive first step and powerful hands to disengage from blockers and chase down the quarterback.

Read Yates’s full mock draft here.

After transferring from Texas A&M to Ole Miss, the 6-foot-4, 290 lb defensive linemen recorded 26 total tackles with 6.5 sacks for Lane Kiffin and the Rebels in 2024.

Prior to entering the college level, Nolen was a top recruit, earning either the first or second spot for the class of 2022 in multiple high school recruiting outlets. Nolen played two seasons at Texas A&M for Jimbo Fisher, recording five sacks, a forced fumble and 66 tackles for the Aggies.

The 2025 NFL draft is slated to begin with round one on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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Texans bolster defensive line with All-SEC addition in latest mock draft

Walter Nolen could be the missing link for the Texans’ interior defensive line in 2025 opposite Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.

Walter Nolen already looks great in Hotty Toddy Blue. Let’s see if the Steel Blue of the Houston Texans fits better at the professional level.

In the latest mock draft from Sports Illustrated, the Texans bolster their defensive line by adding the Ole Miss defensive lineman at pick No. 25. With a combination of speed and lower-body power, Nolen’s arrival would fortify the interior trench play for the AFC South favorites over four years.

Houston’s defense is statistically strong, but Nolen would elevate its interior defensive line. Nolen, who is 6’3″ and 305 pounds, is explosive and disruptive—he notched four sacks, eight tackles for loss and 24 hurries this season. A transfer from Texas A&M, Nolen is strong against the run, too. He posted the fifth-best run defense grade (91.9) among defenders with at least 100 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and he’s tied for second in the FBS with 31 run stops. – SI’s Daniel Flick

Defensive tackle has been a need for Houston long-term since DeMeco Ryans returned home in 2023. Sheldon Rankins inked a one-year deal last offseason before cashing in with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. Maliek Collins was traded to the San Francisco 49ers while the team settled for minimal deals built around Mario Edwards Jr. Tim Settle and Foley Fatukasi.

The Texans are built on the edge with Defensive Player of the Year candidates Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Adding depth up the middle that can bolster the run defense and add value as a secondary pass rusher makes too much sense for a defensive-led team.

That’s Nolen, an All-SEC defensive tackle who finished with career-highs in tackles for loss, sacks and pressures. He also graded out as the SEC’s top run defender by PFF and was the anchor of Ole Miss’ top-ranked run defense.

Houston looks to technically worsen its draft position by continuing its winning ways this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

NFL Draft analyst gives Vikings some defensive help in latest 2025 mock draft

The Minnesota Vikings get some help along the defensive line in the latest 2025 mock NFL Draft from The 33rd Teams’ analyst Kyle Crabbs.

After two straight losses, the Minnesota Vikings have fallen to third place in the ultra-competitive NFC North division. While that sounds bad — and there’s certainly a lot for the team to be alarmed about given their performances the past two weeks — that still has the Vikings in the playoffs.

It’s not yet time for the Vikings or their fans to give up on the season and start setting their sights on the 2025 NFL Draft. That said, it’s never too early to start familiarizing yourself with the prospects available and the potential stars the draft could bring.

The Vikings are in a bit of a pickle regarding the 2025 NFL Draft. Thanks to several trades, Minnesota is currently sitting with just three picks in next year’s draft and only one of them — a first-round pick — in the first two days of the draft.

Minnesota will likely receive a third-round compensatory pick for losing quarterback Kirk Cousins and outside linebacker Danielle Hunter in free agency, but that still doesn’t leave them with much capital to improve their team. So, what direction might the Vikings take in the 2025 NFL Draft?

NFL Draft expert Kyle Crabbs with The 33rd Team has the Vikings picking up some help along the defensive line in his latest mock draft. With the 26th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Crabbs has the Vikings taking defensive tackle Walter Nolen out of Ole Miss, saying:

Thanks to Brian Flores’ schemes and disguises, Minnesota’s front is dangerous already. But adding a disruptive talent up front like Walter Nolen feels like a dream come true, thanks to the potential free runs he can get.

Add in the disruptive ability when Minnesota still drops into coverage. Nolen could totally change the complexion of the Vikings’ front.

The Vikings made a trade on Tuesday with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire left tackle Cam Robinson, but that should have no impact on the Vikings’ 2025 NFL Draft plans. Robinson is likely just a one-year rental, as his contract expires after the season, and there’s no reason to believe injured tackle Christian Darrisaw won’t recover.

The Vikings didn’t give up any of their limited draft capital in 2025 to make the deal, either, so that likely doesn’t play into their decision-making process. The Vikings have several areas of need heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, but bolstering the defensive line up front is a smart direction.

Texans land former top defensive recruit in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Ole Miss superstar Walter Nolen could be headed to NRG Stadium in 2025.

Currently, the Houston Texans’ top need is defensive back help. Jimmie Ward and Kamari Lassiter remained sidelined for the next several weeks due to injury. Rookie Calen Bullock, plus veterans Jalen Pitre and Eric Murray, have been hit-and-miss this season in man coverage. 

But what’s the Texans’ biggest need entering the offseason? For now, it remains defensive tackle. Houston chose to spend money elsewhere in the offseason, thus leading to one-year deals with Tim Settle, Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. 

The Texans would be wise to find an interior running mate to pair alongside Defensive Player of the Year candidate Will Anderson Jr. and Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter. That’s what ESPN has the Texans doing in its latest mock draft with the selection of Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen at pick No. 30. 

A true wrecking ball up the middle is one of the few missing ingredients for an elite football team in Houston. After two underwhelming seasons at Texas A&M, Nolen is having a breakout year in his first season at Ole Miss. He already has 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and 8 run stops. With aggressive hands and a sudden first step, he’s consistently able to defeat single blocks at the first level.

Formerly the No. 1 defensive recruit of the 2022 class, Nolen started two years for the Aggies before transferring this offseason. Despite the underwhelming results under then-coach Jimbo Fisher, Nolen flashed potential, totaling nine tackles for loss, 24 QB hits and four sacks. 

Entering the Rebels’ bye week, Nolen has been the anchor of a defense that leads the nation in run defense, holding opponents to 1.96 yards per attempt and 66.5 yards per game.

Edwards, Settle and Fatukasi call could cash in elsewhere this offseason, meaning Houston could bargain shopping once more to fill the void up the middle. Bringing in a player with a fifth-year option to shore up some money elsewhere makes not only sense on paper but also to a defense headlined by DeMeco Ryans. 

The Texans are also picking 30th, which means that ESPN believes Houston is poised to go on a postseason run.

To show up in the AFC title game for the first time in franchise history and land a potential All-American defensive lineman as the foundation of the run defense? It’s hard for Texans fans to hate that result entering 2025. 

Elite transfer portal defensive lineman does not pick USC — or Oregon

Walter Nolen to Ole Miss.

The USC Trojans need high-end defensive players in the transfer portal and elsewhere in order to reach a championship standard. One of the defensive players they hoped to get in the portal was Texas A&M transfer Walter Nolen, one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the country.

On Sunday, USC looked under the Christmas tree and found that its stocking was empty. The Trojans watched Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels walk away with Nolen, part of a huge portal class in Oxford.

This is not good news for USC, and we’re not going to tell you this is a minor development. It’s significant to lose out on a significant portal prospect. However, there is a minor piece of good news tucked inside this generally negative story: Oregon, the school which has been a thorn in USC’s side in recruiting and the transfer portal, did not get Nolen either. At least USC knows Dan Lanning and the Eugene Machine did not get another big piece for their 2024 roster.

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Former Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen to transfer to Ole Miss over Oregon

Former Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen will reportedly transfer to Ole Miss, choosing the Rebels over the Oregon Ducks.

The Oregon Ducks were unable to land the best player in the transfer portal, with former Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen announcing on Sunday that he would be transferring to the Ole Miss Rebels.

Last week, Nolen, the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, announced a final two schools, the Ducks and Rebels.

In two seasons with the Aggies, Nolen has played in 22 games and totaled 66 tackles, 11 TFL, 5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Standing at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, Nolen instantly comes to Oregon as one of the bigger defensive linemen on the roster.

The Ducks were a strong contender for the former 5-star recruit. Nolen’s relationship with Dan Lanning goes back to when the Oregon coach was at Georgia. The Bulldogs were deep in the recruitment for the 5-star player, who ultimately had Georgia among his final three schools before choosing the Aggies. I’ve been told that Nolen entered the transfer portal this season with the Ducks already among his top options of places to transfer to. This goes in line with what we saw a year ago when EDGE Jordan Burch decided to leave South Carolina and enter the transfer portal. As a former 5-star player, Burch also had a great relationship with Lanning from his time in Athens, and Lanning was able to continue that relationship and bring a highly-rated player to Eugene.

The Ducks have been highly successful in the portal this year, landing both Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel and UCLA QB Dante Moore, as well as Kansas State S Kobe Savage.

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Breaking: Former Texas A&M sophomore DL Walter Nolen will transfer to Ole Miss

This weekend, Lane Kiffin has persuaded two talented prospects to switch from Texas A&M Maroon & White to Rebels Cardinal Red & Navy Blue.

Throughout December, Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin has persuaded multiple talented prospects to switch from Texas A&M Maroon & White to Rebels Cardinal Red & Navy Blue.

According to a report from 247Sports national college football reporter Matt Zenitz, former Aggies sophomore defensive lineman Walter Nolen has chosen Ole Miss as his next destination via the NCAA Transfer Portal. He officially entered the portal on Dec. 6 after mulling over the decision for about three days.

Per On3 Sports, Nolen visited the Rebels program two weeks ago after visiting Eugene to check out the Oregon Ducks program. Nolen joins 2024 3-star quarterback recruit Anthony Maddox in flipping from Texas A&M to Ole Miss this month.

Nolen tallied 66 tackles (37 solos), five sacks and a forced fumble during two seasons with the Aggies. This year, he increased his production with totals of 37 tackles and four sacks.

Nolen was among the highest-rated players in Texas A&M’s 2022 recruiting class, which ranked No. 1 in the nation. Former Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher racked up eight 5-star signees and 20 more 4-star recruits.

Texas A&M is not scheduled to play the Rebels next season so the Aggies will have to wait until at least 2025 to match up against Nolen and Ole Miss.

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Walter Nolen announces top two schools in transfer portal recruitment

Oregon is still alive in Walter Nolen sweepstakes as he has the Ducks and Ole Miss as his Top 2 destinations.

It’s down to Dan Lanning and Lane Kiffin.

Prized defensive end Walter Nolen, who has spent the last two seasons at Texas A&M, tells On3 he has whittled his choices to Oregon and Ole Miss.

For the past two years, Nolen has been one of the top defensive ends in the SEC and the country. When he announced he was entering the transfer portal, schools basically lined up for his services.

Fortunately, the Ducks and Dan Lanning were one of just a few schools that were granted a visit. Since Oregon made the final cut, that visit must have gone well.

This past season, Nolen had 37 tackles, 8.5 for loss and four sacks for an underachieving Aggies team that chose to buy out head coach Jimbo Fisher’s contract to the tune of close to $80 million.

Oregon has done well in the transfer portal so far by signing quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from Oklahoma and Dante Moore from UCLA. Adding Nolen would make an already good defense even better as the Ducks go into the Big Ten next season.

Report: 5-star QB Malachi Nelson, who took unofficial visit to Texas A&M in 2022, enters transfer portal

Texas A&M was the final school that Nelson visited in 2022 before choosing USC, so the Aggies may be at the top of his upcoming visits list.

Texas A&M sophomore defensive lineman Walter Nolen was the biggest name in the NCAA Transfer Portal — until the weekend concluded.

That distinction now belongs to USC true freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson. According to On3 Sports college sports business & transfer portal reporter Pete Nakos, the 5-star recruit officially entered the portal on Sunday night.

Nelson took an unofficial visit to Texas A&M on July 28, 2022. He signed his letter of intent with USC on Dec. 21. Now nearly one year later, Nelson is searching for his next destination.

Texas A&M was the final school that Nelson visited before formally committing to the Trojans, so the Aggies may be at the top of his list for an upcoming visit. Nelson is listed at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. He graduated from Los Alamitos High School in California last year.

According to 247Sports, Nolen remains ranked as the No. 1 transfer player available in the portal. Nelson is slotted as the No. 5 quarterback and No. 21 overall player.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Report: Michigan State DL Derrick Harmon to visit Oregon this weekend

The Oregon Ducks are expected to host former Michigan State DL Derrick Harmon on a visit this weekend

One of the bigger areas of need on the Oregon Ducks roster this offseason is at the interior defensive line. While there are a number of young players who look likely to be able to take on a bigger role and step into stardom, it’s clear that Dan Lanning and the Ducks are targeting some big bodies to fill holes left by the departures of Brandon Dorlus, Casey Rogers, Taki Taimani, and Popo Aumavae.

They’re working to do that this weekend, reportedly bringing former Michigan State defensive lineman Derrick Harmon to Eugene for a visit, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

In three seasons at Michigan State, Harmon has 71 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He stands at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, and has two years of eligibility remaining.

The Ducks have also been recruiting former Texas A&M defensive lineman Walter Nolen, who is rated as the No. 1 player in the transfer portal. Nolen was on campus for a visit last week, and is expected to take a visit to Ole Miss this week.

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