The Ole Miss Rebels received a massive boost to their program on Sunday. Per On3 Sports, the Rebels have landed former five-star prospect Walter Nolen via the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Texas A&M transfer DL Walter Nolen has committed to Ole Miss🐋
Nolen ranks as the No. 1 player in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings‼️https://t.co/JVzoXzun9p pic.twitter.com/1Gj52r1Kn8
— On3 (@On3sports) December 24, 2023
After two years at College Station, Nolen entered the transfer portal in early December.
Walter Nolen: Starred with Texas A&M Aggies
Nolen, the top prospect in the country in the class of 2022 per 247 Sports, spent the past two seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies. He appeared in ten games as a rookie, collecting 29 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a sack. The former top prospect also caused and forced a fumble. He made massive strides in 2023, registering 37 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and four sacks in 12 games.
Nolen had a fantastic three-game stretch in the middle of the season. He totaled four tackles, two TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in a win against the Auburn Tigers, followed by a 3.5 TFL, 1.5-sack performance against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Nolan then had a TFL and a sack against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
Ole Miss Rebels: Solid 2023 Defensive Campaign
Withholding their bowl game, the Rebels allowed 22.3 points per game in 2023, the 41st-lowest average in college football. Ole Miss was exceptional against the run, allowing just a measly 3.9 rushing yards per attempt. Pass rushers Jared Ivey and Cedric Johnson remain tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks. Johnson projects to sit out his team’s upcoming bowl game in preparation for the NFL draft, while Ivey has yet to show an indication about leaving for the pros.
The Rebels also have J.J. Pegues, Khari Coleman, and Issac Ukwu on the defensive line. The trio combined for 9.5 sacks. Texas A&M transfer Walter Nolen will immediately elevate an already star-studded group of pass catchers.
In late December, the Rebels and head coach Lane Kiffin will face off against the two-loss Penn State Nittany Lions in the Peach Bowl. An Ole Miss win will secure the most in program history. The Rebels have won ten games nine separate times since 1902 but have never surpassed that number.
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