Ole Miss got star defensive tackle Walter Nolen for just one season, but the season-rental proved to be the right move.
Nolen transferred to the Rebels following two seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies,ahead of the 2024 season as 247Sports' No. 1 overall transfer. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior defender was known to have first round potential written all over him when Randall Joyner and Pete Golding secured his services.
Now, one month ahead of the NFL Draft, Nolen is looking to lock up that first round status. Nolen helped himself out by participating in Ole Miss' Pro Day in front of all 32 NFL organizations, showing off his strength and athleticism.
"I feel like I showed everybody what's on tape," Nolen told reporters following Pro Day. "I'm a good football player, I can move well. The biggest thing for me is just talking to folks and just giving them a chance to get to know me. I got to do some more of that today. Overall I feel like I had a pretty good day."
Nolen only competed in the bench press and positional drills Friday afternoon, recording 27 reps of the 225-pound bench press. The one-year Rebel also among the players who met with the New Orleans Saints while in Oxford this week.
Though Nolen has gotten to know plenty of organizations throughout the Draft process, it's all a toss up. Nolen's just enjoying the process.
"You never really know honestly,” he explained. “I learn more and more everyday. Like shoot, it might even be a team that I haven't talked to that may get me. You really don't know where you're going to go in this situation.
In 2024, Nolen registered 48 tackles, two pass deflections and 6.5 sacks (career-high) with Ole Miss.
What were the Rebels able to do for Nolen?
"Know how to be a pro a little bit. This program is probably the closest program to being ran like the league. It's a very player-ran program. Just how to be a pro and having a pro-mindset coming into the building everyday,” said Nolen.
The 2025 NFL Draft is set for April 24-26 and will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.
"Just consistency. Really just becoming a pro and working. You gotta workout by yourself. In college, you know you got all your team and all your coaches are pushing you to go harder. It's a little different in the league, it's by yourself. I kind of like that,” Nolen added. “It's one-on-one work and just grind. That's what I like to do, honestly, just grind."