5-star Walter Nolen says Texas A&M has the slight lead in his recruitment

It has been thought that Texas A&M has taken the lead in the recruitment of Powell (Tenn.) High five-star defensive lineman Walter Nolen.

Nolen confirmed that sentiment to 247 Sports’s Steve Wiltfong after a dominating performance in Powell’s 38-0 victory.

“I guess you can say a little bit,” Nolen responded when asked if the Aggies had slid ahead of everyone else.

Walter Nolen’s relationship with Elijah Robinson is major plus for A&M

Texas A&M defensive line coach Elijah Robinson is one of the top defensive line coaches in the country. He has turned the Aggies front into a juggernaut over the past four seasons, and turned down NFL offers this past offseason.

And he is playing a crucial role in recruiting Walter Nolen, the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2022 On3 Consensus. Robinson is the primary recruiter for Nolen and was at the game Friday.

Nolen said he talks with Robinson every single night and enjoys the conversations.

“We don’t really talk about football, we talk about the other stuff,” Nolen said. “Being able to see the defense go out there and dominate every game and being able to know Texas A&M defensive line is going to show up every game.”

Yolanda Nolen says Tennessee and Texas A&M have made a good impression

Walter Nolen’s mother, Yolanda Nolen, told 247 Sports that Tennessee and Texas A&M have stood out to her in the recruiting process.

In particular, she highlighted Tennessee as a coaching staff she has developed a great relationship. She called the success under Josh Heupel a “breath of fresh air.”

“I’m loving their whole new staff they got over there,” Yolanda Nolen said. “I feel like I have a good relationship with Coach Heupel and Rodney Garner. I just feel like I’m able to call them and talk to them when I need to ask questions as far as different things, they’re always open.”

She added that she doesn’t know as much about Texas A&M because they entered Nolen’s recruitment later in the process. But she is excited to learn more about the program.

Nolen will be on an official visit to Alabama next weekend and is planning on visiting the Volunteers the following weekend. That Nov. 13 visit may be an official.