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Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated Nov 1, 2024 7:21 PM ET

Walter Nolen, defensive tackle

6-3, 305 pounds

21 years old (10/14/2023)

Walter Nolen career statistics

YEAR	TOTAL TACKLES	TFLs	SACKS
2022 (Texas A&M)	29	3	1
2023 (Texas A&M)	37	9	4
2024 (Ole Miss)	27	6	2.5
CAREER TOTALS	93	18	7.5

Pros:

Explosive first step
From a pure explosiveness perspective, there might not be a better interior defensive lineman in the 2025 class. When Nolen is on time off the snap, he is extremely tough to counteract.
Flexibility
We have seen Nolen, both at Texas A&M and Ole Miss, play multiple alignments up front. A big reason for that is the flexibility that Nolen brings to the table. He has the ability to bend an outside or inside shoulder, which makes him a legitimate pass rush threat.
Playmaking upside
If Nolen hits his upside, there might not be a bigger potential playmaking presence from the interior in the class than the Ole Miss star. He is at his best when he can split a gap, and create havoc in the backfield.

When Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen (#2) is locked in, he’s dominant at times. Outstanding athlete with explosive power. Still needs to be a lot more consistent. pic.twitter.com/eNQC3HqYmT
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) September 30, 2024

Cons:

Consistency
If you want a defensive lineman you can count on every snap, then Nolen is not the player for you. When he’s on, he’s on. When he isn’t, then Nolen is invisible.
Effort
The big reason why Nolen disappears is because he doesn’t consistently play hard. On the backside of plays, he rarely plays with a high motor. There are reps where he takes breaks on early running downs.
Power profile
There are moments of a power profile for Nolen, but it is very inconsistent to say the least. When he doesn’t get his hands right, he can get uprooted too easily. Nolen spends too much time overall on the ground.

Facing off against the Ole Miss defensive line isn’t easy… but the Kentucky OL certainly won this rep. Impressive. pic.twitter.com/TzUfCeOH9Y
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) September 30, 2024

Player Evaluation:

When you talk about the depth of the 2025 NFL Draft class, there might not be a position group that is as deep as the interior defensive lineman. Due to his playmaking upside, and flashes, Nolen has the talent to be a major riser in the class. There may not be a better athlete of the group.

While the boom might be high, so is the bust with Nolen. There are large stretches where he disappears, and even more where he doesn’t seem to be playing overly hard. Which version are you going to get with Nolen consistently? That’s the major question.

Player Comparison:

Devonte Wyatt (Green Bay Packers)

When Nolen is at his best, he is a disruptive force from the inside of a defense. There is Pro Bowl upside, but several deficiencies that need to be fixed.