Tennessee’s top 2022 prospect Nolen focused on bringing football success to SBA
CORDOVA, Tenn. (BVM) — St. Benedict at Auburndale’s football team received a big boost in July when Walter Nolen, a defensive lineman who grew up in Cordova, decided to transfer to the school from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The decision not only brought Nolen back to his hometown, but also brought the Eagles one of the most highly touted players in all of high school football.
“I’m feeling good,” Nolen said. “I’ve been talking to coach Walls since I was in eighth grade and I guess everything just played out for me to land here.”
On Aug. 17, Nolen was rated by Rivals.com as their top prospect in the 2022 class. If that wasn’t enough, Nolen also ranks No. 1 on 247Sports and is No. 2 in ESPN’s Class of 2022 rankings.
“It means a lot to me, but I know I still got to do a lot to keep this spot,” Nolen said of the honor.
Blessed to be named #1 https://t.co/xcRzNIGJMm
— Walter Nolen9️⃣🏈🏈 (@WalterNolen4) August 17, 2020
The consensus top defensive tackle in the country, the 6-foot-3, 280 pound Nolen will bring more than just size to the Eagles this fall. With an array of different moves from speed around the corner to straight power with a bullrush, Nolen keeps offensive lineman on their toes as he is able to keep them guessing throughout the game.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CD1j0pCFOdZ/
SBA head football coach Marlon Walls, who has known Nolen since he was playing for the local middle school team, had a feeling when he first saw the defensive tackle play that there was something special about him.
“When I first saw him play I came to a game his eighth grade year and I saw him pick up a kid up, the quarterback, and slam him,” Walls said. “Once I saw that I told his dad when I had the conversation with him that this kid has the chance to be the No. 1 player in the nation. … We kind of laugh about it now because he is literally the No. 1 player in the nation so that’s a heck of a job by him and his parents.”
The news of the transfer may have come as a surprise as the five-star prospect will be transitioning from one of the top athletic preparatory schools in the country to SBA which has had success in the state in recent years, but not to the extent IMG has had in Florida. Even the news of his transfer to IMG was a surprise as Nolen spent his first two football seasons at Olive Branch High School in Olive Branch, Miss., making the decision to transfer shortly after his sophomore season.
While one player does not make a team, adding Nolen certainly can’t hurt the Eagles coaching staff’s odds at improving from their 3-7 record a year ago. In the short amount of time that Nolen has been working and practicing with the team, Walls can already see that he brings elements to the table that past SBA teams did not possess.
“He brings a certain level of grit or nastiness,” Walls said. “Guys understand when you don’t fight with him, he’s going to hold you to a certain account and you’re going to have to play a certain way. Now it’s just natural. It’s starting to spill over to the rest of the team. Guys are being more physical, more violent up front.”
For Walls, coaching the No. 1 prospect is a rare opportunity, but it has been Nolen’s ability to bring other players up to a different level that has truly shown the value of the defensive tackle.
“He’s obviously a big ole body and moves well and all that kind of stuff,” Walls said. “It’s exciting to have the No. 1 player in the nation on your team, but at the same time what he brings with that. The fact that other guys around him are standing up and picking up their level of play so that’s very exciting.”
Of course what Nolen also brings to the table is plenty of attention from Division I programs. Currently, Nolen is sitting on over 15 different offers from some of the best programs in the country including Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Oklahoma as well as home state schools like Memphis, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. While Nolen has responded to being named the top prospect by Rivals through his Twitter, he has remained mum on his recruitment, only posting when he has received offers from Division I schools. Unsurprisingly, when Nolen received his top ranking, the demand for the big man went up.
“It was already a little bit up there, but after I got ranked No. 1 almost every other day a college coach wants to talk on the phone,” Nolen said. “It’s exciting because I know I have an opportunity not many other football players got.”
Though it remains to be seen where the dominant defender may end up at the next level, Nolen hopes to bring some of his skills back to his hometown.
“It means a lot being able to hopefully come in and turn this season around,” Nolen said. “I know for sure I want to lead the conference in sacks and hopefully at the end of the season to be able to hold up a ring on my finger.”
Walls is also liking the Eagles odds this season, especially with Nolen leading the charge.
“I feel good about it,” Walls said. “When you’ve got the big fella with you, you know you’ve got a chance to stop a lot of people.”
While SBA prepares for their first game Sept. 4, they will be happy to see the homegrown Nolen repping the red and blue. Nolen is excited to finally be able to strap it up for his hometown and is feeling good about his team’s odds against Munford on Friday.
“I’m feeling great,” Nolen said. “I’m feeling confident that our team will go out there and get the win. … I’m ready to compete.”
With his recruitment ranking high and expectations even higher, Nolen will be expected to help bring the Eagles to unprecedented heights this season. While it remains to be seen how much he can help the team improve, Nolen will do all he can to prove why he is deserving of being the nation’s top prospect.
