'Ain’t Nobody Stopping Ole Miss!' Walter Nolen Explains Decision To Sign With Rebels

Walter Nolen, the No. 1 player in the 2023 transfer portal, is head to Oxford for the 2024 season.

The Ole Miss Rebels' transfer portal class went from potent to lethal within five minutes. Lane Kiffin's early Christmas gift to Rebels' fans could be the reason why they're dreaming of a national title come 2024. 

Texas A&M defensive lineman and the top-ranked transfer portal player Walter Nolen committed to Ole Miss for the 2024 season. The 6-4 defensive tackle confirmed the announcement later Sunday afternoon.

Why Ole Miss? According to 247Sports, Nolen was sold on the Rebels' direction under Kiffin entering Year 5 and believes the only thing keeping the program from making the College Football Playoff is themselves. 

“Ain’t nobody stopping Ole Miss but Ole Miss,” Nolen told 247Sports. 

“If you look on paper you can already see the team. I think they’re going to be something serious. I think Coach Kiffin is a great coach. When it’s time to lock in, I think he can teach you some things and get you ready to go to the next level.”

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Nolen is the prize jewel of the offseason for the Rebels in a transfer portal class riddled with exceptional SEC talent. Joining Nolen in Oxford next year include stalwarts like edge rushers Princely Umanmielen (Florida) and Tyler Baron (Tennessee), linebacker Chris Paul (Arkansas), cornerback Decamerion Richardson (Mississippi State) and Key Lawrence (Oklahoma) 

Ole Miss also added former South Carolina receiver Antwane "Juice" Wells for an offense that's expected to return quarterback Jaxson Dart and pass-catchers Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Caden Prieskorn. 

Nolen, who visited Ole Miss last week, said it didn't take long for him to realize Oxford was his next home after spending two seasons in College Station. 

“My favorite thing about Ole Miss is really just the at-home culture,” Nolen said. “I just felt like, I felt more love at Ole Miss. I could tell in the locker room it was sincere. I don’t think I have no relationship with no other players like that except with a couple guys on my last team at Texas A&M.

“I mess with the (Ole Miss) staff in general. I feel they can get me where I need to be in the next year."

Ole Miss Peach Bowl Preview: Meeting Penn State LB Jacobs

A chess piece that can terrorize offensive linemen regardless of location, Nolen finished the regular season with 37 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. As a freshman, the Mississippi native had 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.

Nolen also visited Oregon and met with Dan Lanning following his departure from the Aggies. He narrowed his choices down to the Ducks and Rebels entering Christmas weekend but eventually settled on Kiffin's squad after further review. 

“I was telling my dad, I wish I would’ve went on a visit earlier in my career,” said Nolen. 

The No. 11 Rebels close out the 2023 season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., against No. 10 Penn State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at noon E.T.