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Booger McFarland Has a Warning on Ole Miss All-American Ahead of NFL Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 11:33 AM ET

There is no question that, after the very impressive year he had after transferring to Ole Miss, Walter Nolen has established himself as a top-shelf NFL defensive-line prospect. Even among a class that is fairly loaded along the defensive front, Nolen stands out for his pure speed and power.

But you’re not likely to see Nolen land in the Top 10 when April’s draft comes around. That’s because, for all the star potential Nolen carries with his physical gifts, there’s still the question of figuring out how, exactly, Nolen will translate in the NFL.

For former NFL defensive line star and ESPN analyst Booger McFarland, teams looking at Nolen as a first-round pick should be warned.

“Walter Nolen, he’s explosive but I don’t know if I see enough wiggle and enough athleticism to play the three-technique,” McFarland told Athlon’s Luke Easterling on the “BPA” podcast (at 30:23). “I don’t know if I see enough wiggle and enough athleticism to play the three-technique. Some people might disagree. …

“He’s explosive but when, like, I see his pass-rush plan, I’m not sure it’s really there. He’s what, 6-4, 290, 300 pounds? So he’s big enough to play three-technique. He’s also big enough to be a four-I. But I don’t know if there’s enough athleticism. I know he’s explosive but is there enough athleticism to play that three-technique?”

Nolen was a five-star recruit, rated by 247 Sports as the No. 2 overall prospect in his class in 2022. He was solid with the Aggies but blossomed at Ole Miss last year, earning an 88.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, recording six sacks and 25 hurries.

The talent is there. But Nolen will need polish—and the right position. “A lot of people love him (and) I do, I just don’t know which position is going to be his best,” McFarland said.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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