Former Ole Miss Star Walter Nolen Signs Four-Year, $19.3M Contract with Cardinals

OXFORD, Miss. — Former Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen has officially taken the next step in his football journey, signing his rookie contract with the Arizona Cardinals and kicking off his NFL career.

Drafted 16th overall in April’s NFL Draft, Nolen inked a four-year, $19.3 million deal this week that includes a $10.7 million signing bonus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The former Rebel becomes the latest Ole Miss product to head to the league’s highest level — and expectations are already high in Arizona.

Cardinals signed No. 16 overall pick Walter Nolen to a four-year, $19.3 million deal that includes a $10.7 million signing bonus. pic.twitter.com/YPRueR6dnh

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 10, 2025

Nolen’s arrival has quickly made waves inside Cardinals camp. He’s already drawing attention from veteran teammates and coaches, with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray calling him a steal at No. 16.

“He was a no-brainer type of guy… for him to fall to 16… I don’t know how that happened,” Murray said.

Nolen spent the first two years of his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Oxford for what turned into a breakout season under Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding. In his lone year as a Rebel, Nolen recorded 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries while anchoring a dominant Ole Miss run defense that finished top-three nationally, allowing less than 90 yards per game on the ground.

His ability to disrupt opposing offenses was a key part of the Rebels’ success last fall and now gives Arizona a much-needed presence on the interior defensive line. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort spoke highly of Nolen’s fit with the organization.

“We wanted to have a more disruptive defensive unit. When we find players that can affect the middle of the pocket, it puts a lot of stress on the offense. Walter is another guy that can help us do that,” Ossenfort said.

In Arizona, Nolen joins a defensive line room with plenty of experience, including veteran Calais Campbell, who has already taken on a mentorship role. For Nolen, it’s an opportunity to learn while competing for early snaps behind an established group.

“I just want to learn their process. I still get to be a kid a little bit,” Nolen said in his introductory press conference. “Just get in there, learn how they do things, and implement it into my process.”

Rebel fans won’t have to wait long to catch Nolen in action. The Cardinals will open the 2025 season in New Orleans against the Saints on September 7 at Noon CT.