Check In: Is SI All-American's Top IDL Still Considering Texas A&M?

Walter Nolen lists the Aggies as one of his top destinations

The 2021 college football has begun, so, naturally, lets turn our attention to visits, commitments and predictions for the 2022 class and beyond.

Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher has cleaned up on the recruiting trail. Entering his fourth season with the Aggies, the head coach has finished with three top 10 recruiting classes, and currently is in the running for another. 

The addition of Walter Nolen would only strengthen A&M's case for the top class of 2022.

Nolen, currently rated as SI All-American's No. 1 interior defensive tackle, remains uncommitted entering the school year. The SEC seems destined to be his future home, with Nolan's top three choices being Tennessee, Georgia and Texas A&M. 

READ MORE: Elite DL Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy Includes A&M In Top Two Schools

John Garcia of SI All-American recently caught up with the top names that remain unsigned by entering September. No word on when Nolan will decide, but we're all waiting.

Walter Nolen, No. 2 Overall, No. 1 IDL

The Powell (Tenn.) High School prospect has suited up for his new squad and there hasn't been a lack of buzz in the area since. His public top three remains in Tennessee, Texas A&M and Georgia, released August 24. The next day, though, Nolen made sure to remind fans of all the programs in pursuit, like Michigan, Florida, Alabama and others, that the race wasn't over and that the top group wasn't a final group.

Nolen has featured fluidity on his lists of top schools for every release, as programs that were seemingly out for his services flew back in following visits to campus. Now it would appear that college game visits could add to the influence on America's top defender, pushing the race further into wide open status. However, as anyone on social media would relay, Nolen could end his recruitment at any time.

He challenged followers to drive up his Instagram to a certain level and he would make a commitment, a move that of course paid off near immediately as Nolen flew up the follower mark. 

Nolen, Sr. recently told SI All-American a decision would come through the family when his son woke up with "that feeling" of knowing where he wants to play, without additional doubt. A&M has the most recent momentum and Tennessee is now the local school following the offseason move from Mississippi, so the conversation probably begins with the pair.

Nolen, Jr. will be in attendance at the Georgia-Clemson showdown in Charlotte for Saturday, so Kirby Smart's program will get the first live impression in front of the nation's best. 

READ MORE: Texas A&M Names New 12th Man For 2021 Season

Nolen's decision could be make this weekend if Kirby Smart can entice him into signing on the dotted line. Josh Heupel, the hopeful answer in Knoxville, won't be going down without a fight. 

The Aggies will need to bolster their defensive line following the 2021 season. It is expected that all four starters, including top 10 prospect DeMarvin Leal, will all leave come January via graduation or the NFL Draft. 

Behind Leal and Jayden Peavy lies McKinley Jackson and fellow sophomore Isaiah Raikes. The next crop of defensive linemen who have yet to see the field include Ardarious Jones and Dallas Walker IV. Jackson is expected to see extended reps as the team's nose tackle with veteran Bobby Brown now playing in the NFL. 

Adding a name like Nolen only bolsters one of college football's top defensive units, but, like everything in the SEC, nothing worth having will every come easy. 

READ MORE: Texas A&M's Star Defensive End Arrested, Suspended Indefinitely

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