Sign, Sealed, Delivered: Walter Nolen Inks Deal With The Grove Collective

The former number-one player in the country signed a deal with the Ole Miss Rebels' NIL collective: The Grove Collective.

The hype surrounding Walter Nolen has been real since he was in high school, and now that hype has found its way to Oxford, Mississippi. 

Nolen was rated the top defensive tackle in the country by 247Sports during his prep career, and after two productive seasons at Texas A&M, Nolen entered the portal.

That path led him to Ole Miss, and he has now signed an NIL deal with the school's collective, as reported by On3 on Wednesday.

Ole Miss Rebels DL Walter Nolen / Ole Miss Athletics

Lane Kiffin and company were determined to field a more competitive and physical defense, and after Nolen committed, it seemed as if the whole country was put on notice. 

Nolen adds size, speed and versatility to the already-loaded front seven. Paired with JJ Pegues, Nolen could be a force to be reckoned with for Pete Golding's defense, and his ability to take on double teams, shed blocks, and rush the passer made Nolen one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal. 

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While games are won on the field, the college game has been introduced to the world of NIL, and this deal with The Grove Collective officially locks Walter Nolen into the Ole Miss football program. 

The Rebels are on the heels of their first 11-win season in program history, and they are one of the trendiest picks to reach the newly-expanded College Football Playoff field this season. If the Ole Miss defense can help bolster an already-loaded offense this season, it's very possible that the Playoff could be an attainable goal.