Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen has been touted for a prolific season by being recognized as a consensus All-American.
The standout junior earned a spot on all five of the major All-America teams recognized by the NCAA for his role as a staple on Pete Golding’s defense. This includes his name being stamped on the following lists:
- Associated Press (First Team)
- Football Writers Association of America (First Team)
- The Sporting News (First Team)
- AFCA (Second Team)
- Walter Camp (Second Team)
In his final collegiate campaign before heading to the NFL, Nolen has made waves as one of the top players at his position nationally. The Texas A&M transfer tied for the team lead in tackles for loss at 14, ranked third among his Rebel peers with 6.5 sacks, and fifth on the team at 48 total tackles – alongside three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and two fumble recoveries.
His presence especially was made known in the run game as he aided in Ole Miss being one of the top defenses in stopping opposing ground attacks. According to Pro Football Focus, Nolen ranks as the No. 5 run-stopper in all of college football with a 91.7 regular-season grade. He also owns a 12.3% run-stop rate, which leads all SEC defensive linemen and ranks second in the nation.
Nolen is the 14th consensus All-American in Ole Miss football history and the first since wide receiver Elijah Moore (2020), who now suits up for the Cleveland Browns. He is also only the third defensive player in Ole Miss history to earn the distinction alongside linebacker Patrick Willis (2006) and cornerback Senquez Golson (2014).
When making the move to Oxford via the transfer portal one year ago, Nolen and a star-studded cast of players from other universities embarked on a journey to land Ole Miss in its first-ever College Football Playoff. That effort fell just short as the three-loss Rebels were one of the first teams left out of the 12-team field vying for a national title.
Though Nolen declared for the NFL Draft on Monday, he has expressed his intent to give it one last go alongside his Ole Miss teammates as they take on Duke in the upcoming TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on January 2.