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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Walter Nolen Named Outland Trophy Semifinalist
11/20/2024 | Football
OMAHA, Neb. – Ole Miss football junior defensive tackle Walter Nolen has been named a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America and announced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee on Wednesday evening.
Nolen is one of seven semifinalists overall and one of just two defensive players to make the cut for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's best college interior lineman on offense or defense. Nolen is the first defensive tackle at Ole Miss to make the Outland Trophy semifinalist stage. Offensive tackle Michael Oher is the Rebels' lone previous finalist in 2008.
Alongside Nolen on the semifinalist list are offensive tackles Kelvin Banks Jr., of Texas, Will Campbell of LSU and Wyatt Milum of West Virginia; center Seth McLaughlin of Ohio State; guard Addison West of Western Michigan; and fellow defensive tackle Mason Graham of Michigan.
Nolen has helped lead a fearsome Rebel defensive squad that leads the nation in both sacks (46) and tackles for loss (103), while also ranking FBS top-10 in rushing defense (second, 79.9 ypg), scoring defense (sixth, 12.9 ppg) and red zone defense (eighth, 69.2 percent).
On the year, Nolen has 32 tackles (16 solo) with 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, three QB hurries, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups. Nolen is PFF's top-rated interior defensive lineman in run defense (91.2) and the fourth-best overall (85.9), and he ranks third-best among all FBS defenders in stopping the run.
Nolen is also a semifinalist for both the Bednarik Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Nolen was on preseason watch lists for the Walter Camp, Outland, Lombardi and Nagurski awards, and was added midseason to the Maxwell and Bednarik watch lists.
The semifinalists will be pared to three finalists on Tues., Nov. 26. The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 22, 2025.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Missouri. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
2024 Outland Trophy Semifinalists
Kelvin Banks, OT – Texas
Will Campbell, OT – LSU
Mason Graham, DT – Michigan
Seth McLaughlin, C – Ohio State
Wyatt Milum, OT – West Virginia
Walter Nolen, DT – Ole Miss
Addison West, G – Western Michigan
Nolen is one of seven semifinalists overall and one of just two defensive players to make the cut for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's best college interior lineman on offense or defense. Nolen is the first defensive tackle at Ole Miss to make the Outland Trophy semifinalist stage. Offensive tackle Michael Oher is the Rebels' lone previous finalist in 2008.
Alongside Nolen on the semifinalist list are offensive tackles Kelvin Banks Jr., of Texas, Will Campbell of LSU and Wyatt Milum of West Virginia; center Seth McLaughlin of Ohio State; guard Addison West of Western Michigan; and fellow defensive tackle Mason Graham of Michigan.
Nolen has helped lead a fearsome Rebel defensive squad that leads the nation in both sacks (46) and tackles for loss (103), while also ranking FBS top-10 in rushing defense (second, 79.9 ypg), scoring defense (sixth, 12.9 ppg) and red zone defense (eighth, 69.2 percent).
On the year, Nolen has 32 tackles (16 solo) with 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, three QB hurries, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups. Nolen is PFF's top-rated interior defensive lineman in run defense (91.2) and the fourth-best overall (85.9), and he ranks third-best among all FBS defenders in stopping the run.
Nolen is also a semifinalist for both the Bednarik Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Nolen was on preseason watch lists for the Walter Camp, Outland, Lombardi and Nagurski awards, and was added midseason to the Maxwell and Bednarik watch lists.
The semifinalists will be pared to three finalists on Tues., Nov. 26. The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 22, 2025.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Missouri. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
2024 Outland Trophy Semifinalists
Kelvin Banks, OT – Texas
Will Campbell, OT – LSU
Mason Graham, DT – Michigan
Seth McLaughlin, C – Ohio State
Wyatt Milum, OT – West Virginia
Walter Nolen, DT – Ole Miss
Addison West, G – Western Michigan
Players Mentioned
DT
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