Walter Nolen, who emerged as one of the best defensive tackles in college football in 2024, created a bit of a stir at the Senior Bowl in late January during an interview he did with the online draft site, Draft Network.
When he was asked to self-scout himself, he replied, “I’m the next Aaron Donald, man.”
So, obviously confidence isn’t a problem for Nolen who, in his lone season at Mississippi, became just the 14th consensus All-American in program history.
“I feel like I can do it all,” Nolen continued. “Aaron Donald did it all at the highest level. I’m a younger, upcoming version of Aaron Donald. I just can’t wait to show everybody that when I get this opportunity I’m being blessed with.”
Not surprisingly, that comment made its way to Donald who retired following the 2023 season, ending a 10-year, 111-sack NFL career spent entirely with the Rams during which he made the Pro Bowl all 10 seasons, was a first-team All-Pro eight times, was a three-time defensive player of the year, and won a Super Bowl. It’s a resume that will eventually land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, regarded as perhaps the greatest defensive tackle in league history.
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Walter Nolan met with the Buffalo Bills and NFL scouting combine
At the NFL scouting combine, Nolen – who met with the Buffalo Bills’ contingent in Indianapolis and may be a player they’re interested in – did an interview with NFL Network and during that session, Donald appeared in a video and delivered a direct message.
“I heard you said you’re the next Aaron Donald, man, so keep doing your thing, man,” Donald said. “Hopefully you have a long career, a better career than what I had. I’ll be looking out for you, I’ll be watching for you and see how this thing turns out for you.”
Upon seeing the video, Nolen said, “Man, that’s crazy. That just made me even more ready.”
Whether Nolen is still available at Buffalo’s No. 30 pick in the first round is tough to predict. Some draft analysts have him as a top 15 pick because the talent is unmistakable from a size and athleticism standpoint, while others believe he’s a bottom of the first round, possible early second-round type of player.
He measured 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds at the combine and given the Bills’ need to add a bigger player at the position, Nolen may not be in their crosshairs and would not warrant trading up for in first round to get him. If he were to fall to No. 30, though, depending on how their draft board looks, it might be tough to pass.
As the saying goes in football, whether it’s the NFL or college, the tape doesn’t lie and that’s what Nolen is banking on when the first round of NFL Draft commences in three weeks because there was no doubt, his tape is impressive.
Nolen met with teams and went through the medical evaluation at the scouting combine but did not participate in any of the drills, and then at his pro day at Mississippi a few weeks later, the only thing he did outside of positional drills was the bench press, and he pushed 225 pounds for 27 reps which would have ranked fifth among DTs at the combine.
“I feel like I showed everybody today what’s on tape,” Nolen said at his pro day. “For me, the biggest thing was talking to scouts, giving them a chance to get to know me, and I got to do some more of that today. Overall, I had a pretty good day.”
Walter Nolan moved up draft boards at Ole Miss
After two somewhat quiet seasons at Texas A&M, Nolen transferred to Ole Miss in 2024 and exploded onto draft boards playing in a defense that featured five other starters who were invited to the combine. Surrounded by so much talent, Nolen excelled as he recorded 48 tackles, had a team-leading 14 tackles for loss including 6.5 sacks, batted down three passes, and recorded a pass rush win rate of 11.9%.
“I feel like I was always underrated. I feel like I elevated their (defensive line) room when I got there,” he said of his lone season at Ole Miss. “I feel like I do everything. It’s hard to find someone who looks like me and does the things I do. I’m not perfect, far from perfect. I feel like once I clean up those small technique issues I’m going to be a great ballplayer.”
At the Senior Bowl, Nolen enjoyed an excellent week of practice which prompted NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah to say, “Nolen’s twitch and burst are rare for a player of his size. I still want to see him finish plays a bit more – that issue showed up on tape and it popped up again when I watched him live this week. That said, there’s a lot to dream on with the tools he brings to the table.”
Nolen’s primary spot on the defensive line was at three-technique and at his weight, that’s what he would be best-suited for in the NFL. That’s why he might not be the right fit because the Bills are most in need of a one-technique to eventually replace DaQuan Jones. Nolen would need to add weight and strength to play that role in Buffalo’s defense.
“I’ve been talking to (teams) about that,” Nolen said at the combine regarding versatility. “I don’t think I’m a one-trick pony. I feel like I can move up and down the line.”
When he was asked about his meeting with the Bills that week, Nolen said, “I feel like it was pretty solid. Lot of times they want to get a reaction out of you. I’m a pretty calm person.”
Here’s what NFL draft analysts said about Walter Nolen
➤ Mel Kiper, ESPN: “When I watched him this year, he popped. And they were moving him around. Athletically he’s quick, he’s in that backfield, he’s disruptive. So he can do both, stop the run on the way to the quarterback. The athleticism, very impressive for his size. I think the ability to play basically multiple spots and the ability he had to be in the backfield like a cat and be disruptive, that’s what you’ve got to be.”
➤ Pro Football Focus: “Nolen isn’t the most polished interior defender, but he might be among the most physically gifted. If he continues to grow in his pre-snap plan and hand usage, he can be an impactful, versatile defensive tackle with a high floor due to his strength in run defense.”
➤ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: “With his length and surge off the ball, Nolen creates immediate force and can be a play-wrecker because of how quickly he penetrates gaps. He generates the type of leverage that forces holding calls. He doesn’t rely just on quickness to win, but there are inefficiencies in his attack, especially when he is late to read the play.”