Elite DT Walter Nolen Talks Recruitment, Visits, More

Walter Nolen is arguably the nation's top prospect, and he turned in another dominant camp performance at the Atlanta Under Armour camp today. Following the event, Nolen discussed his recruitment from the Vols.

With a who's who offer list, Nolen is hearing from multiple heavy-hitters, including Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Florida. Georgia has been the biggest mover in Nolen's recruitment of late.

"They are creeping their way in there," Nolen said of Georgia. "It was a hard decision to make with that 10th spot, but they are still up there. I talk to them morning through night. Our relationship is starting to build, it was kind of slow starting off."

Trey Scott is leading the charge for the Bulldogs, and he is using peer recruiting the assistance from UGA signee Lovasea Carroll and current 2022 commitment Tyree West.

Nick Saban and Ed Orgeron have both been heavily involved in Nolen's recruitment, but Orgeron is the head coach that is most involved with him. "It is great because any chance you get to have one on one time with the head coach, you have to take it. You would be a fool to not."

Ohio State has continued to battle for Nolen and he will likely take a trip to see them and rival Michigan before he makes a decision. Both schools have been involved in his recruitment for a while, and both appear to be a factor moving forward.

Tennessee has only intensified their recruitment of Nolen since Rodney Garner took over as the defensive line coach.

"It is good," Nolen said of his relationship with Garner. "He just tells me about some of the stuff he has done and telling me how he can help get me to where I want to go."

Nolen has always been impressed by Derek Brown, and the fact Garner has been highly successful with defensive line prospects has his attention. "I mean it is great. He has to know what he is doing because he is putting people in the league every year. You stick with him, and you are probably going to be there too."

"For sure," Nolen said when asked about being more than just a want but a need at Tennessee. "Any school that knows they need you are going to try and recruit you the best and Tennessee knows that and I feel like Tennessee has been trying to recruit me the best."

The Vols are making a strong pitch to Nolen about how he can be more than just the face of the defensive line.

"It is great. Eventually, that is what I am trying to get to no matter where I am. I am trying to lead my team to championships. They want me to be the face of defense and by my senior year, they want me to be the face of Tennessee. I mean that is all great to hear."

Nolen will start taking some visits in the coming weeks, but nothing is set in stone. He is eyeing a potential list cut in "probably three weeks."