In a surprising move, former five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen has announced his decision to transfer to Ole Miss after spending two seasons with Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound sophomore made headlines when he entered the transfer portal earlier this offseason, marking the end of his tenure with the Aggies.
Nolen, originally hailing from Powell, Tennessee, was the top-ranked prospect in the 2022 class and committed to Texas A&M over numerous other prominent programs.
Through two seasons, he’s registered 66 tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble … Needless to say, things didn’t work out as planned in College Station.
The talent is clearly there with Nolen and Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is hoping to bring out the best in him.
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
The transfer adds to a remarkable “portal season” for Ole Miss, who have already secured transfers from Tennessee edge rusher Tyler Baron, Florida edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi State cornerback Decamerion Richardson, Tennessee safety Tamarion McDonald, Oklahoma safety Key Lawrence, Arkansas linebacker Chris Paul Jr., Illinois cornerback Tahveon Nicholson, and Indiana safety Louis Moore.
With the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, the SEC is shaping up to be more competitive than ever in 2024.
Kiffin made it clear that he was going to emphasize the transfer market – and he sure has.
BREAKING NEWS: https://t.co/P77l9Ya8of Tracking Center has CONFIRMED that #Santa has LEFT the North Pole! Stay tuned for his projected route.
— TheSantaTracker (@TheSantaTracker) December 24, 2023
You can count Kiffin’s girlfriend, Sally Rychlak, as one who is loving what the always-entertaining coach is doing.
Rychlak, who attended Ole Miss and currently works at SMU, has reportedly been dating Kiffin for about a year. She recently liked a message on social media highlighting Kiffin’s achievements in the transfer portal, further solidifying the excitement surrounding the program.
Speaking about his recent contract extension with Ole Miss, Kiffin expressed gratitude for the university’s support, stating: “I’m very grateful to be hired here in the first place four seasons ago. To get an extension, which didn’t change any financial part of the situation – it just added length and commitment that this is where we want to be, and commitment from the university.”
In many ways, Kiffin has turned the Rebels into the Penn State of the SEC … In other words, his team can beat everyone in the conference EXCEPT the two big dogs – In Kiffin’s case, Alabama and Georgia – In James Franklin’s case, Michigan and Ohio State.
It depends where your expectations lie whether that’s a good or bad thing.
Ironically, those two exact programs will be playing each other in the Peach Bowl on Saturday when the Rebs take on the Nittany Lions.
3 things to watch out for in the upcoming Bowl Game matchup against Ole Miss 👇#WeAre #PennState pic.twitter.com/PmnxEhAxRC
— State Media (@StateMediaPSU) December 19, 2023
What are your thoughts on the job Kiffin is doing at Ole Miss?
Is he a coach you would want yourself or your son to play for?
Will he be able to get over the hump next season in the SEC?
Or is third-place in the conference pretty much the ceiling or the program???
Sorry @juicekiffin it meant nothing pic.twitter.com/XXgccIyoA3
— Sally Rychlak (@SallyRychlak) November 12, 2023