Walter Nolen Drawing Reportedly Drawing 'Maturity Concerns' From 'Multiple' NFL Scouts

Mississippi defensive lineman Walter Nolen's on-field talent is almost certainly going to make him a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but there are some questions about his maturity level as he prepares to enter the league.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, "multiple" NFL scouts have expressed "maturity concerns" about Nolen.

There was a situation at Ole Miss during the 2024 season that may have raised some eyebrows. Nolen appeared to suffer a lower-body injury late in the first half of the Rebels' game against Oklahoma on Oct. 26 and he sat out the second half.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin offered a cryptic response when asked if there was any concern about Nolen's health going forward.

"I don't know. He wasn't able to go back in. I actually thought he was going to go back in and he decided that he couldn't go back in," Kiffin said.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler noted the "interview process will be crucial to (Nolen's) final grade" because he played at six different programs in the past seven years dating back to his time in high school.

According to Fowler, some scouting reports for Nolen mention he has a "history of walking off the practice field mid-session due to frustration."

Some teams don't seem all that concerned about any potential issues. One NFC executive told Fowler they were "fine" with Nolen's interview.

Another personnel executive in the league told Fowler that Nolen is someone who is
"searching for solutions" because he's still "young" as a 21-year-old.

B/R's NFL scouting department has Nolen ranked as the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class. His pro comparison is Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver, per B/R's Matt Holder.

Nolen, who transferred to Ole Miss last year after spending two seasons at Texas A&M, had a fantastic 2024 season. He was a consensus All-American selection after recording 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three passes defensed playing primarily on the interior of the defensive line.