Ole Miss is coming off a disappointing season where they missed the College Football Playoffs but that’s not going to stop the program from having several players drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft.

While quarterback Jaxson Dart is going to be talked about the most ahead of the draft, defensive tackle Walter Nolen is Ole Miss’ top prospect this year. Where he’s going to end up has varied quite a bit in mock drafts, but most of them have him being selected in the first round. The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino is particularly high on Nolen and has him being taken by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 12 pick.

“Walter Nolen emerged as a standout at the Senior Bowl, showcasing his impressive fluidity and explosiveness as a defensive tackle,” Valentino wrote.

“While Graham may have the edge in run defense and consistency, Dallas could be an ideal destination for Nolen to reach his full potential. ”

This option is more enticing than selecting a sturdier presence and carries the potential for a game-changing impact similar to that of Gerald McCoy.” The Cowboys had the second-worst scoring defense in the NFL last season. The one thing the defense did well was sack the quarterback as they were third in the NFL with 52.

Where the defense really struggled was in the run game as they allowed the fourth-most in the league. Nolen has some appealing pass-rushing ability but he should make his biggest impact in the run game.

Pairing him with Micah Parsons has to be very appealing to Dallas.