Walter Nolen, who emerged as one of the best defensive tackles in college football in 2024, created a bit of a stir at the Senior Bowl in late January during an interview he did with the online draft site, Draft Network.
When he was asked to self-scout himself, he replied, “I’m the next Aaron Donald, man.”
So, obviously confidence isn’t a problem for Nolen who, in his lone season at Mississippi, became just the 14th consensus All-American in program history.
“I feel like I can do it all,” Nolen continued. “Aaron Donald did it all at the highest level. I’m a younger, upcoming version of Aaron Donald. I just can’t wait to show everybody that when I get this opportunity I’m being blessed with.”
Not surprisingly, that comment made its way to Donald who retired following the 2023 season, ending a 10-year, 111-sack NFL career spent entirely with the Rams during which he made the Pro Bowl all 10 seasons, was a first-team All-Pro eight times, was a three-time defensive player of the year, and won a Super Bowl. It’s a resume that will eventually land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, regarded as perhaps the greatest defensive tackle in league history.
Walter Nolan met with the Buffalo Bills and NFL scouting combine
At the NFL scouting combine, Nolen - who met with the Buffalo Bills’ contingent in Indianapolis and may be a player they’re interested in - did an interview with NFL Network and during that session, Donald appeared in a video and delivered a direct message.
“I heard you said you’re the next Aaron Donald, man, so keep doing your thing, man,” Donald said. “Hopefully you have a long career, a better career than what I had. I’ll be looking out for you, I’ll be watching for you and see how this thing turns out for you.”
Upon seeing the video, Nolen said, “Man, that’s crazy. That just made me even more ready.”
Whether Nolen is still available at Buffalo’s No. 30 pick in the first round is tough to predict. Some draft analysts have him as a top 15 pick because the talent is unmistakable from a size and athleticism standpoint, while others believe he’s a bottom of the first round, possible early second-round type of player.
He measured 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds at the combine and given the Bills’ need to add a bigger player at the position, Nolen may not be in their crosshairs and would not warrant trading up for in first round to get him. If he were to fall to No. 30, though, depending on how their draft board looks, it might be tough to pass.
As the saying goes in football, whether it’s the NFL or college, the tape doesn’t lie and that’s what Nolen is banking on when the first round of NFL Draft commences in three weeks because there was no doubt, his tape is impressive.
Nolen met with teams and went through the medical ...
