Walter Nolen Explains Why He Chose Ole Miss: ‘Seeing the family orientation they’ve got around here…how they support each other’
OXFORD, Miss. – For the first time since his arrival at Ole Miss, the nation’s No. 1-ranked transfer portal player Walter Nolen stepped to the podium on Labor Day evening, answering questions about why he chose to be a Rebel and what his expectations are for the 2024 college football season.
Why Ole Miss?
When defensive tackle Walter Nolen decided to leave Texas A&M in December of 2023 and enter the transfer portal, his name was immediately linked to Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss. For many, there was not much shock when the elite bull rusher decided to sign with the Rebels out of the portal with the way the 2024 offseason had been going for the program.
Monday evening, Nolen explained why he chose to come to Ole Miss.
“Just playing against Ole Miss the past two years, seeing the family orientation they’ve got around here, seeing how they support each other — even when things are going bad on the field. It just opened my eyes and showed me this was really the team I wanted to be at.“
~Nolen on his decision to come to Ole Miss
Texas A&M lost a handful of significant players from their 2023 squad following the overhaul of the coaching staff that included the hiring of new head coach, Mike Elko. Nolen stated that, ultimately, the decision to leave the Aggies was made following the departure of a certain member of the coaching staff.
“What really led to me leaving A&M was coach E-Rob (Elijah Robinson) leaving and going to Syracuse. It wasn’t really a tough decision; it was more so a tougher decision to find out where I wanted to go. I feel like Ole Miss helped that situation a lot and made things easier.“
~ Nolen on entering the transfer portal
Nolen heard from many programs during his days as a high school prospect, and just as many following his entry into the transfer portal in late 2023. He explained how he handled that situation and how he was always focused on the main goal.
“I heard from a pretty hefty amount (of other universities), but I just tried to focus on keeping the main thing, the main thing and focus on what I wanted to accomplish this year. Like I said, Ole Miss was that.”
~ Nolen on navigating the transfer portal
The 2024 season as a Rebel
With Nolen not having the chance to step to the podium during the days of fall camp, the defensive tackle gave an update on how he’s feeling after camp, as well as on the defensive unit as a whole.
“Right now, I feel like the defense is great. We still got a lot to work on after watching the film from game one. Fall camp, everything went smooth as planned. I feel like the biggest part for me coming into camp was gelling more with my team and I feel like that was smooth sailing.”
~ Nolen on how he feels after fall camp
Being one of the highest-profile defensive players in the country, the hype for Nolen to be an NFL draft prospect has already begun, and he immediately showed that skill off in game one against Furman. The pressure of being one of the more talented guys on the field comes with its own challenges; however, Nolen claimed he is just happy to get the chance to play football.
“I still feel like a little kid when it comes to the game, I’m just excited to be out there and playing.”
Walter Nolen
With Nolen also still getting adjusted to the program, along with other transfers, we have heard many cases of veterans in the Rebel locker room stepping up to make transfers and freshmen feel like they have a home. Nolen comments that JJ Pegues has been that guy for him, “JJ has been like a big brother to me,” the defensive tackle noted during his Labor Day press conference.
The Rebel offensive line may be on the opposite side of the football from Nolen, but that does not mean the group has not made an impact on the former transfer upon his arrival. Nolen took the time to praise the entire unit for pushing him, giving a shoutout to a pair of other transfers who have helped him improve the most.
“Really going against everybody. Every O-Lineman has their own thing, so going against them every day and trying to work different methods…I feel like going against some of the better O-Linemen like Juice (Julius Buelow) and Nate (Kalepo) coming from a great offensive line, I feel like they push me more and more every day.“
~ Nolen on going against the Rebels’ offensive line
Following week one in the Vaught with a packed house, Kiffin and players have praised the Rebel faithful for showing out with every opportunity they get. Nolen added to that, smiling while adding that he cannot wait to get deeper into the 2024 season. “It was pretty good. I know everybody didn’t stay the whole game, but for it to be a turnout for the score the way it was, it was pretty good. I can’t wait for SEC play to start,” Nolen added.
Now that week one has come and gone, Middle Tennessee is next on the schedule for the Rebels as they stay at home and look to have another packed house on Saturday. Nolen was asked about preparing for the Blue Raiders after getting back in the film room.
“The only people that will stop us up front is us, and I wholeheartedly believe that. I feel like we got one of the best defensive lines in the country, if not, I know for sure in the SEC.“
~ Nolen on preparing for opponents
Kameron Wicker
Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.
