Michigan makes top 10 list for 2022 five-star Tennessee DT Walter Nolen

The Michigan Wolverines continue to put in work in the state of Tennessee in the 2022 class, as they just made the top 10 list for five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder from Cordova, Tennessee also included Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Clemson, Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee, Auburn and USC on his top 10 list.

Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua is the point man in this recruitment. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is also lending a helping hand in recruiting Nolen. You can also give any assistance in this recruitment to 2022 Michigan commit, four-star safety Taylor Groves, a Tennessee native who tweeted at Nolen when he announced he’d be dropping his top 10.

Nolen has not been on Michigan’s campus up to this point, so that will be the next step in Michigan having a legitimate shot here. Of course, the NCAA’s in-person recruiting dead period doesn’t end until April 15, so a proper visit would have to wait until then.

The former director of scouting at 247Sports, Barton Simmons, compared Nolen to current Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver.

Thick, stocky interior defender with good arm length and a powerful frame. Sudden get-off and outstanding first-step quickness. Good lateral quickness at the snap. Jarring punch and knock-back ability. Delivers a blow when being blocked. Outstanding hand quickness and activity. Arrives with heavy pads as a tackler. Good closing speed in the backfield. Can bend and redirect. Doesn’t stay blocked. One of the most disruptive defenders in the 2022 cycle. Plays with effort and alpha mentality. Shorter than the what is typical for elite interior linemen. May not be as scheme versatile as other bigger linemen. Will be an impact Power Five starter and is poised to develop into an early round NFL Draft pick.

Nolen is the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 2 overall player in his class on the composite.