Walter Nolen grateful for Pete Golding, Randall Joyner, and Ole Miss: Consensus All-American offers insight to recruits considering the Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen became the 14th Ole Miss player in history to be named a consensus All-American yesterday, as he is listed on five major All-American teams. Nolen is just the third defensive player in Rebel history to earn the distinction.
During this past season as a Rebel, Nolen recorded 48 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections. On Friday, the Memphis native and Texas A&M transfer credited defensive coordinator Pete Golding and defensive line coach Randall Joyner for helping him develop into a projected first-round NFL pick.
In a strong DL class, it may be #OleMiss Walter Nolen who has the highest ceiling
A 5⭐️ out of HS, his raw traits are in seriously rare air… He took a HUGE step forward this year after transferring from A&M 📈
🎥: Here’s 2 minutes of some of his best plays of the season 👇 https://t.co/oN28fNKH4p pic.twitter.com/fiyL1guxK9
— The Draft Room (@TheDraftRoomNFL) December 20, 2024
“I feel like Coach Pete and Coach Joyner did a great job bringing me in and kind of being that guiding shoulder because from my past, I got in a lot of trouble not with the game but the small things, and they just helped me tune it up. It made me a better player going into my future.“
– Nolen on the Ole Miss coaching staff
In spite of his first-round NFL projection, Nolen is still be participating in the Gator Bowl, along with several NFL-bound teammates. When discussing his decision, he spoke on what it means for him to play in the game and have a chance at a 10-win season, something he was not able to accomplish at Texas A&M.
“Really it was just the fact that I had never played in a bowl game. I felt like this would be a fun experience, especially with the group of guys that we got. I just wanted to enjoy one last ride with my guys… Obviously we wanted the bigger games, but I feel like anytime you play in a bowl game or any game in January is special because not a lot of teams are playing there. I just have to take it and run with it…Given the fact that I really haven’t won (10 games), this is pretty historical for me. I’m just blessed to be here.”
– Nolen on having the chance at 10 wins
#OleMiss iDL Walter Nolen has officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. One of the most impressive prospects that I saw while out on the scouting trail this year. pic.twitter.com/NAAvk8Mxwy
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) December 16, 2024
To wrap up likely his final press conference in the Manning Center, Nolen left a message to transfer portal recruits around the country on his experience at Ole Miss and why the program is elevating at a fast pace.
“You have to come see it. A lot of people on the outside might talk down on Ole Miss or think they don’t have anything going on. Once you get here and see everyone in the building and see how the team works, you can see that Ole Miss is the program on the rise, and they will be.”
– Nolen on his time at Ole Miss
As the Rebs get closer to the Gator Bowl on January 2nd, stay tuned with The Rebel Walk for all player press conferences and more.
