Lane Kiffin’s son, Knox, celebrates Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen landing up in Arizona

Former Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen was one of the Rebels' standout players last season as they completed a second consecutive 10-win season. On draft night, Nolen was picked No. 16 overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's son, Knox Kiffin hyped up Nolen being picked in the draft, on Instagram stories. He reposted the Cardinals' graphic with the caption:

"LFG," Knox Kiffin wrote.

Kiffin's IG stories

Knox Kiffin also hyped up Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart who was picked No. 25 overall by the New York Giants as the second quarterback off the board after Cam Ward was picked No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans.

Kiffin's IG stories

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Walter Nolen relishes Cardinals' battle

While speaking to reporters after the Arizona Cardinals had picked him with the No. 16 pick, Walter Nolen revealed how he intends to approach the battle for a place on the roster next season.

“The Cardinals took a chance on me, and I'm blessed for that,” Walter Nolen said. “Can't wait to get there. I know the competition level in the room is going to be great. I know I've got some good vets in front of me so I can't wait to compete. I'd just say I'm a unicorn to sum it up. I can do whatever for you in any given situation, as long as I get the right coaching. I can take it from there.

“Out of everybody, Arizona actually wanted to get to know me,” Nolen said. “They didn't think nothing of what people were saying about me. They came straight to the source. That's the type of person I am, I'm a straightforward person.”

Nolen started his college football career for the Texas A&M Aggies before entering the transfer portal in 2023 and playing for coach Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss Rebels for one season. Last season, he tallied 48 tackles, three passes defended, 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Rebels.

After being picked by the Cardinals, Walter Nolen received high praise from former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, who said on ESPN's Draft show:

“When he (Nolen) wants to play, he's probably as good as anybody in this draft as an inside player."

Walter Nolen showed a marked improvement from his past two seasons as an Aggie, registering 66 tackles, five sacks, one fumble recovery, one pass breakup and one forced fumble in 22 games (14 starts) before entering the transfer portal.