The University of Mississippi Athletics
NFL DRAFT: Walter Nolen Selected 16th Overall by Arizona Cardinals in the 2025 NFL Draft
4/24/2025 | Football
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Ole Miss football junior defensive tackle Walter Nolen was the first Rebel off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft, going 16th overall to the Arizona Cardinals during Thursday night's first round selections.
Nolen is the 24th first-round professional selection in Ole Miss football history, the 13th since the seven-round era began in 1994 and the 17th since the AFL-NFL merger in 1967. Nolen is the highest Rebel selected overall since Laremy Tunsil was picked 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2016, as well as the highest Ole Miss defensive player selected since Patrick Willis was selected 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007.
Among defensive tackles, Nolen is the highest Rebel selected in the modern era of the NFL since 1967, and the highest in any professional draft since Stan Hindman was selected 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 1966 – one year before the merger.
Nolen had only one season with the Rebels, but he left his mark as one of only 14 unanimous All-Americans in the deep history of Ole Miss football.
The former No. 1 overall recruit came to Oxford from Texas A&M and immediately had an impact in 2024, anchoring the best rush defense in the nation and one of the best overall defensive units in Ole Miss history. The Outland Trophy finalist started all 13 games on the defensive interior, helping the Rebels reset team school records in sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120) – which both led the nation.
Nolen finished sixth on the team with 48 total tackles (25 solo) and was tied for the team lead with 14.0 tackles for loss (50 yards) – fourth-most in the SEC and tied for the 10th-most in a single season in Ole Miss history. Nolen was also fourth on the team with 6.5 sacks for 36 yards while adding four QB hurries, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
Among defenders at all positions, Nolen ranked as PFF's sixth-best run defender in the nation with a season-grade of 91.6 (No. 2 SEC) and also ranked as the sixth-best in the SEC in overall season defensive grade (88.9; No. 26 FBS). Among interior defensive linemen, Nolen led the SEC and ranked second nationally in run defense grade (91.6) while also leading the SEC in season defensive grade (88.9; No. 4 FBS) and pressures (35; No. 8 FBS).
Gallery: (4-24-2025) NFL DRAFT: Walter Nolen
Nolen is the 24th first-round professional selection in Ole Miss football history, the 13th since the seven-round era began in 1994 and the 17th since the AFL-NFL merger in 1967. Nolen is the highest Rebel selected overall since Laremy Tunsil was picked 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2016, as well as the highest Ole Miss defensive player selected since Patrick Willis was selected 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007.
Among defensive tackles, Nolen is the highest Rebel selected in the modern era of the NFL since 1967, and the highest in any professional draft since Stan Hindman was selected 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 1966 – one year before the merger.
Nolen had only one season with the Rebels, but he left his mark as one of only 14 unanimous All-Americans in the deep history of Ole Miss football.
The former No. 1 overall recruit came to Oxford from Texas A&M and immediately had an impact in 2024, anchoring the best rush defense in the nation and one of the best overall defensive units in Ole Miss history. The Outland Trophy finalist started all 13 games on the defensive interior, helping the Rebels reset team school records in sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120) – which both led the nation.
Nolen finished sixth on the team with 48 total tackles (25 solo) and was tied for the team lead with 14.0 tackles for loss (50 yards) – fourth-most in the SEC and tied for the 10th-most in a single season in Ole Miss history. Nolen was also fourth on the team with 6.5 sacks for 36 yards while adding four QB hurries, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
Among defenders at all positions, Nolen ranked as PFF's sixth-best run defender in the nation with a season-grade of 91.6 (No. 2 SEC) and also ranked as the sixth-best in the SEC in overall season defensive grade (88.9; No. 26 FBS). Among interior defensive linemen, Nolen led the SEC and ranked second nationally in run defense grade (91.6) while also leading the SEC in season defensive grade (88.9; No. 4 FBS) and pressures (35; No. 8 FBS).
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