The University of Mississippi Athletics
Walter Nolen Named to Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List
8/15/2024 | Football
HOUSTON – Ole Miss football junior defensive tackle Walter Nolen has been added to the Lombardi Award preseason watch list, as announced by the Lombardi Award Committee on Thursday.
Nolen is among 90 players nationally, 19 from the SEC and one of 18 defensive tackles on the watch list for the Lombardi Award, which was established in 1970 in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. The award is presented annually to outstanding linemen who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field. Furthermore, the watchlist includes players who consistently show the values of strength, agility, and football acumen in their respective positions.
This is the sixth preseason honor for Nolen, who was also a first-team All-SEC selection by league media members, a second-team Preseason All-American by The Sporting News, and is on additional watch lists for the Walter Camp Award (national player of the year), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year) and Outland Trophy (best interior lineman).
Nolen – a unanimous five-star transfer and the nation's No. 2 overall transfer according to both On3 and Rivals – is in his first season at Ole Miss after transferring from Texas A&M this past offseason. Nolen appeared in 22 career games for the Aggies, including 10 starts on the defensive line in 2023. The former prep Under Armour All-American registered 37 total tackles last year with 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks as a sophomore.
The 2024 award dinner will take place on Dec. 11, and net proceeds from gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
Nolen is among 90 players nationally, 19 from the SEC and one of 18 defensive tackles on the watch list for the Lombardi Award, which was established in 1970 in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. The award is presented annually to outstanding linemen who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field. Furthermore, the watchlist includes players who consistently show the values of strength, agility, and football acumen in their respective positions.
This is the sixth preseason honor for Nolen, who was also a first-team All-SEC selection by league media members, a second-team Preseason All-American by The Sporting News, and is on additional watch lists for the Walter Camp Award (national player of the year), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year) and Outland Trophy (best interior lineman).
Nolen – a unanimous five-star transfer and the nation's No. 2 overall transfer according to both On3 and Rivals – is in his first season at Ole Miss after transferring from Texas A&M this past offseason. Nolen appeared in 22 career games for the Aggies, including 10 starts on the defensive line in 2023. The former prep Under Armour All-American registered 37 total tackles last year with 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks as a sophomore.
The 2024 award dinner will take place on Dec. 11, and net proceeds from gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballPRESSER | Trinidad Chambliss - Postgame Presser vs. LSU (09-27-25)
Saturday, September 27
PRESSER | Cayden Lee - Postgame Presser vs. LSU (09-27-25)
Saturday, September 27
PRESSER | Wydett Williams Jr. - Postgame Presser vs. LSU (09-27-25)
Saturday, September 27
PRESSER | Lane Kiffin - Postgame vs. LSU (09-27-25)
Saturday, September 27