How Texas A&M Football made 2022 No. 1 overall prospect’s top-3

The Texas A&M Football team continues to destroy everybody in its path on the recruiting trail. After being considered out of the race for 5-star Walter Nolen, they have clawed their way back into the thick of this race.

Nolen is considered the best player in the 2022 class, ranked first nationally on 247Sports’ composite rankings. As such, he is also the top-ranked player at his position and a target for any relevant football program. Here’s what 247Sports Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks said about him.

"“Could thrive inside in a four-man front but looks to have position and scheme versatility. Among the nation’s top defensive prospects in the 2022 class. Should become impact high-major defensive lineman with high-round NFL Draft ceiling.”"

Previously, Walter Nolen’s official top-5 listed Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. The Aggies were not considered a favorite. Tuesday night, Texas A&M was listed on Nolen’s updated list of schools. Nolen’s top-3 schools were announced in a tweet which can be seen below.

The Texas A&M Football team could really shake things up with this commitment

Nolen doesn’t have a specific commitment date yet but will likely make a decision in the relatively near future. The Aggies are right there in the running. 2022’s top prospect unofficially visited Texas A&M on July 30th, marking his most recent college visit.

As a player, Nolen is as college-ready as they come. At 6-4 and 325 pounds, the defensive lineman could play at the SEC level right now and be an impact player. With a year of high school football left, he’ll be a terrifying sight on the field for opposing teams in 2022.

The interior lineman is always working hard on the defensive side of the ball — something that you can’t say about every highly skilled defensive lineman. For a 325-pound lineman, he has excellent speed and lateral awareness, snatching up ball carriers for tackles with ease whenever they come near.

Still, he has the strength to put up a fight against any offensive lineman. This shouldn’t change at the next level, as he is the ideal size to be an effective, physical defensive lineman.

His primary strength, however, is not his actual strength. Instead, it’s his hands. Nolen is able to use his hands in such a way that no high school lineman has really managed to stop him. His combined quickness and strength are impossible to overcome.

The Texas A&M Football team could have some spots opening up on the defensive line after the 2021 season, so adding Nolen would immediately patch up those holes. Nolen is also likely impressed by Texas A&M’s current defensive line, which was among the best in the country last season.

The Aggies consistently send defensive linemen to the NFL Draft in the first round, so that likely played a huge part in their resurgence in this race.