Aggies’ Nolen, No. 1 recruit in ’22, enters portal

• Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Personnel WriterDec 6, 2023, 05:03 PM ET

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  • ESPN personnel writer
  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Finished from Central Michigan

Texas A&M defensive deal with Walter Nolen, the No. 1 prospect in the 2022 class, got in the transfer portal Wednesday.Nolen is one of four previous leading recruits for the Aggies to get in the portal Wednesday, signing up with previous luxury protective end L.T. Overton, the No. 6 possibility in the 2022 class; offensive lineman Chase Bisontis, the No. 61 recruit total in 2023; and previous ESPN 300 tight end Jake Johnson.Nolen is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound sophomore from Powell, Tennessee, who played in 10 games as a true freshman in the 2022 season, making four starts. He had 29 overall takes on, 2.5 deals with for loss and 1 sack in his very first season. He followed that up with 37 total takes on, 8.5 takes on for loss and 4 sacks in 2023. Editor’s Picks 2 Associated He has already played two seasons and will have 2 seasons of

eligibility remaining and will likely be one of the more desired non-quarterback players in the transfer portal this offseason. When Nolen devoted to the Aggies in high school, he selected the program over Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee, who might all try to get back in the mix, as well as Ole Miss.Bisontis will be a loss for the Aggies on the offending side as he started in 12 games at right tackle as a true freshman this previous season. Johnson played in 12 games this season and had 235 getting lawns and 4 touchdowns.With the 4 transfer-portal additions today, Texas A&M has lost 11 players to the portal since November, including receiver Raymond Cottrell and quarterback Max Johnson.