Walter Nolen, nation's No. 1 2022 defensive tackle, transfers to St. Benedict from IMG Academy

Walter Nolen, the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 3 overall college football prospect in the country for the Class of 2022, has transferred to St. Benedict, coach Marlon Walls confirmed. 

"It's pretty cool just because you want to get that recognition out that St. Benedict is a great place to go be a student but also be an athlete as well," Walls said. "So I know that with this big cat right here the news will be out that you can come here and play some ball, and not just play some ball but be one of the best because that's what he is."

Nolen, a five-star prospect according to the 247Sports composite, has offers from Tennessee, Florida State, Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss among others. 

He played at Olive Branch last year and helped lead the Conquistadors to the second round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs. He was a first-team Commercial Appeal All-Metro selection with  92 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, two sacks, 21 hurries, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. 

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound junior transferred to IMG Academy in Florida in February but returned to the Memphis area before he got to play a game there. He joins a St. Benedict team that was 3-7 last season and 0-5 in region play. 

Walls, who played linebacker at Tennessee, said he's looking forward to teaching Nolen what he learned in the SEC. 

"I want to give him the small details that your college coaches are going to be requiring of you," Walls said. "I know that kid can do that stuff and walk across the stage one day and be drafted. I mean like a first-round draft pick. That kid is that good as far as how explosive he is, his first-step is unmatched, he's got flexible hips, he's light on his feet. He's a huge, huge human being at 6-foot-5 with long arms and small calf muscles so he can move. If you're looking for a defensive lineman as far as drawing one up, he's one."