On3 5-Star Countdown: No. 5, DL Walter Nolen

As college football heads toward the proverbial end of the 2022 recruiting cycle, On3 will soon release its final rankings for this year’s senior class.

At the top of those rankings are 32 five-star prospects, each of whom was among the most heavily recruited high school football players in the country this year. Next up on the countdown is the No. 5 prospect in the 2022 class, Powell (Tenn.) defensive lineman and Texas A&M signee Walter Nolen.

The player evaluations not only include their full senior seasons, but their performances in the practices and games of the Under Armour All-American Game and the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. The final batch of five-stars has some significant movement from the previous rankings, including 15 newly minted members of the club. It also is headlined by a new No. 1 overall player.

Walter Nolen Scouting Summary

Large-framed interior defensive lineman with rare movement skills and athleticism at over 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds. Has continued to add size, growing over an inch and adding 40 pounds from his junior to senior years. Among the more athletic nose tackle prospects in several cycles. A truly dominant prospect in camp settings. Proved unblockable against top offensive linemen at Under Armour’s Future 50 camp prior to his senior season. Has top notch first-step quickness with the ability to translate speed to power as an interior pass rusher. Pairs his considerable quickness with violent hands and upper body strength at the point of attack. Already has some pass rush moves in his repertoire aside from a bull rush. Closes quickly and is capable of tracking offensive skill players in pursuit. Putting together a strong senior campaign after transferring to Powell High School in east Tennessee. Projects as a nose tackle with the ability to push the pocket in addition to rushing the passer. — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Ranking