5-star DL Walter Nolen: ‘I can see myself at Florida’

On3 imageby:Jeremy Crabtree09/20/21

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The twists and turns continue in the recruitment of five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen of Powell (Tenn.) High.

Three weeks ago, the nation’s No. 4 player narrowed his list to Texas A&M, Tennessee and Georgia. However, Nolen then took an unofficial visit to Michigan two weeks ago. Then this past weekend he was at Florida.

While he spoke positively about his visit to Michigan, it certainly looks like the visit to The Swamp made a big impression.

Gators make big push for Walter Nolen

On3 National Analyst Chad Simmons broke down Walter Nolen’s recruitment after he released the top three. Heading into the season, Simmons said Tennessee and Texas A&M were the teams at the top of his list. But now the intel is that Florida made a big push and could sneak into that top list.

Nolen took his official visit to UF on June 4, so the trip with his family was an unofficial visit.

He’s slated next to take an official visit to Texas A&M on Oct. 9 when the Aggies host No. 1 Alabama. He’ll then be at Alabama – another school outside of his top three – on Nov. 6 for the game against LSU. That’ll be followed by another visit to Tennessee on Nov. 13 when the Vols host the Bulldogs.

Walter Nolen was part of a star-studded visit weekend in Gainesville. And all indications are the Gators walked away as winners in recruiting despite the loss on the field to the Crimson Tide.

Along with the positive news on Nolen, the Gators also made a major move this weekend with On300 four-star safety Azareyeh Thomas of Niceville (Fla.) High. He called the scene in Gainesville the “loudest place” he has ever been. Florida now is in the driver’s seat to land Thomas over LSU and Georgia Tech.