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Tennessee football makes another cut for top 2022 DL Walter Nolen

By Caleb Calhoun

Powell's Walter Nolen (99) during the KOC Kick-Off Classic football jamboree held at the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium on Friday, August 13, 2021.Kns Knox Football Jamboree Bp
Powell's Walter Nolen (99) during the KOC Kick-Off Classic football jamboree held at the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium on Friday, August 13, 2021.Kns Knox Football Jamboree Bp /
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There have been nothing but good signs for Tennessee football when it comes to Walter Nolen ever since Josh Heupel began recruiting him. The Vols made the elite 2022 in-state defensive lineman’s top 10 in February and his top five in July.

Then, two weeks after naming his top five, the Memphis-area prospect moved to Powell High School in Knox County, 10 miles northwest of the UT campus, where he will finish out his senior year. Playing in Knoxville, Tenn., has only increased the likelihood that the Vols land him, and on Tuesday, they were in his top three.

Joining Tennessee football on Nolen’s list are the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas A&M Aggies. Before UT, the Florida Gators were always the favorite, so this list is huge news for the Vols. A five-star across the board who is ranked the No. 1 player at his position and among the top two overall nationally, Nolen announced the schools on Twitter.

Amidst all the questions surrounding Rocky Top’s ability to recruit under Heupel, if the Vols land Nolen, they will have a major shot in the arm. Make no mistake, he’d be the biggest splash pickup for the program since maybe Bryce Brown was in 2009, Lane Kiffin’s only class.

Nolen is a guy that everybody is coveting. Now, UGA getting onto the list could be a bit concerning, as the Dawgs are now closer to him too. Still, the big story is UF not being on the list. Also, the Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide were removed from the list. A&M replaced Bama. Cutting the Tide out of the picture is always great news for Vol fans.

Of course, A&M being added into the picture could be a concerning story on its own. Jimbo Fisher is building a powerhouse there, and he could probably go into any backyard and land any player he wanted to at this point.

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Still, the Rivals Future Cast has Tennessee football as the favorite by an overwhelming majority to land Nolen. They are also the favorite by a plurality on the Rivals Fan future Cast. There are no 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions at the moment, but when it comes to recruiting Nolen, there’s no school you’d rather be than the Vols.

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