By Tony Thomas
The players listed below are human wrenches dedicated to mucking up the works and perpetuating Murphy’s Law as it relates to an opponent’s offensive game plan.
Walter Nolen
Ole Miss Rebels (from Texas A&M)
6’4”, 290 lbs.
As a 5-star recruit and the #2 player nationally in the famed Class of 2022, Walter Nolen recorded a whopping 93 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks his senior year of high school. Now, he is ranked as the #2 player overall in this portal cycle after two seasons at Texas A&M.
BREAKING🚨: Former Texas
A&M DL Walter Nolen has committed to Ole Miss‼️The 5 🌟 had 37 tackles and 4 sacks in 2023
This is a MONUMENTAL pickup for the program
He’s the highest rated prospect in school HISTORY (1.000 score)
The #1 player in the country is a REB❗️ pic.twitter.com/Bbte8JwR7a
— WA🅾️Ⓜ️ (@WAOM_) December 24, 2023
Nolen racked up 37 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks in 2023. A player with a continuous high motor who possesses good closing speed while in pursuit, Nolen brings 66 career tackles and a ton of potential to Lane Kiffin and the Rebels.
Joey Slackman
Florida Gators (from Penn)
6’4”, 300 lbs.
A 2nd Team All-American in 2023, Joey Slackman made 50 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks for the Penn Quakers. Slackman’s season came against Brown when he registered 11 tackles. In addition, Slackman was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, ranking 2nd in the Ivy League in tackles for loss with 12.
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Joey Slackman (Sackman) pic.twitter.com/fzMM9ecAyj
— Saint (@BlackAssShaq) December 18, 2023
L.T. Overton
Alabama Crimson Tide (from Texas A&M)
6’5”, 280 lbs.
Another member of that elite 2022 recruiting class, LT Overton was the #6 defensive lineman in the country after recording 54 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
In his two seasons in College Station, Overton has 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. Overton possesses elite athleticism for a player his size and should be successful in Tuscaloosa, with or without Nick Saban at the helm.
Jamaree Caldwell
Oregon Ducks (from Houston)
6’4”, 315 lbs.
A 2nd-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2023, Jamaree Caldwell posted 27 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks for the Houston Cougars in their inaugural season in the Big XII.
Caldwell posted five QB pressures against Texas State and two sacks against Texas. He goes to an Oregon team that has improved its roster significantly via the transfer portal and will play in the Big Ten in the fall.
Thor Griffith
Louisville Cardinals (from Harvard)
6’2”, 320 lbs.
A 2nd Team All-American last season, Thor Griffith dropped his hammer on opposing blockers to the tune of 55 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and eight quarterback pressures. In addition, Griffith was named 1st Team All-Ivy League as well as being named to the All-New England Team.
Go Cards pic.twitter.com/FC8Y6ulRR7
— Thor Griffith (@thorgriff) December 10, 2023
Griffith’s season high in tackles came vs Penn, in which he made 10 stops. He brings 30 games of experience to a Cardinals team that is ranked #1 in the transfer portal team rankings, one that includes fellow transfers DL Tyler Baron, WR Caullin Lacy, and RB Peny Boone.
