Walter Nolen injury update: Tennessee product, Texas A&M DL carted off field vs. Vols

Texas A&M defensive lineman Walter Nolen, a former Powell High star who chose the Aggies over the Vols in the 2022 recruiting class, was carted off the field in the teams’ game on Saturday. He appeared to suffer a knee injury.

Nolen was seen crying on the cart as he exited the field at Neyland Stadium, suggesting the injury was at least somewhat severe. He did not return to the game after exiting the game in the fourth quarter.

Nolen was carted off the field with an apparent injury sustained to a knee. The sophomore was seen crying as he exited the field on an injury cart.

Nolen played football at Powell High School (Tennessee), roughly an 18-minute drive to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

At Powell, Nolen was one of the top players in the nation. According to 247Sports’ Composite rankings, Nolen was the No. 2 player in the country. He was also the No. 1 defensive lineman in his class and the top overall player in the state of Tennessee. He trailed only Travis Hunter, who committed to Jackson State, in the 2022 class.

According to a report by Knox News’ Adam Sparks earlier this year, Nolen was deemed to have received an impermissible recruiting visit worth $3,000 from former coach Jeremy Pruitt and his staff during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period in October 2020.

Pruitt was fired for cause in January 2021, leading the Vols to hire Josh Heupel later that month.