CBS analyst declares Walter Nolen 'most slept on' prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft

In a few months, we will likely see several Ole Miss players drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, with two, maybe three, going in the first round.

Princely Umanmielen and Jaxson Dart are toying with a first-round selection. However, one former Rebel looks to be climbing from late first-round talent to a top-10 pick.

Defensive tackle Walter Nolen looks like a guaranteed first-round selection, but could he be a top-10 pick? CBS analyst Tom Fornelli had some interesting words about the former Ole Miss stand-out.

"Based on what I've seen to this point, Nolen is the most slept-on prospect in the draft. He is a large, disruptive force in the middle of your defensive line and strikes me as the kind of player Robert Saleh loves at that spot. There are plenty of really good edge guys in this class, but I don't think the interior has that same depth. I bet Nolen's stock rises as we approach the draft."

Tom Fornelli

Those types of comments do not just come from Fornelli. Several top analysts have the same opinion regarding Nolen, who had his best season in college in 2024 with Ole Miss having transferred from Texas A&M.

"I don’t have any regrets. I feel like it was a great move for me in all aspects. Sometimes the portal has a bad reputation. But in my situation I feel like it was a good opportunity for me to take another step forward."

Walter Nolen

Nolen oozes confidence; he even recently said he was the next Aaron Donald, one of the best defensive tackles of recent times.

"I’m the next Aaron Donald, man. I feel like I can do it all. 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."

Walter Nolen