5-star Walter Nolen's father says Texas A&M atmosphere was "spectacular"

There was no place most college football fans would have rather been Saturday night than in College Station, Texas, to watch Texas A&M upset Alabama on a last-second field goal. Powell (Tenn.) High five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen was one of the lucky 106,815 people in attendance at Kyle Field, and suffice to say that the trip made an impression on him.

Walter Nolen’s father, also named Walter, told 247 Sports after the game that the atmosphere in and around Kyle Field was incredible.

“The environment here and atmosphere even before the win was spectacular,” he said. “I’m sure it helped their recruitment of him.”

Nolen also said Texas A&M is a good fit for his son.

“I liked A&M since we visited on the unofficial,” the elder Nolen added. “The style of defense they play fits Walter’s style of play. Physical, hard nose all game. Gotta tip my hat to A&M for a well played game on all phases.”

Walter Nolen is the No. 6 overall recruit in the 2022 On300 rankings.

Texas A&M was the favorite before the weekend to land Walter Nolen

Texas A&M has been one of Walter Nolen’s top teams for months, and considered to be the favorite for him. On3’s Chad Simmons emphasized that sentiment earlier this week.

“Based on the info I’m getting right now, the Aggies are likely the school everyone else is chasing,” Simmons said last week.

That likely has not changed, and it fairly reasonable to believe that being in College Station, Texas, for such a program-defining victory will influence Nolen even more in the direction of the Aggies.

Nolen was not the only top recruit at Kyle Field

Texas A&M invited many important recruits to attend its marquee game of the season versus Alabama.

The defensive line recruits in attendance alone could form a fearsome front with Fort Worth (Texas) IMG Academy four-star Bear Alexander, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral five-star Anthony Lucas, 2023 Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton five-star EDGE Lebbeus Overton and Walter Nolen.

Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew, Houston Clear Lake cornerback Julian Humphrey and Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall wide receiver Chris Marshall were among the other On300 recruits in attendance Saturday night.

Dickinson (Texas) High four-star tight end and Texas A&M commit Donovan Green told On3’s Jeremy Johnson that he felt the game was a massive recruiting pitch to players like Walter Nolen.

“Come join the ride,” Green said.