Nolen, Kalepo topped the Ole Miss spring transfer portal participants for productivity
At the Ole Miss Grove Bowl Games last month, awards were given out for various accomplishments such as Most Improved in spring, the top walk-on in spring and so on.
With the way the college football landscape is now, there should be another award added each spring – The Best Transfer Portal Player in spring. One for offense and one for defense.
If there were such awards, here’s who we would have voted for.
On the Ole Miss offense, the choice would have been easy due to some transfer players on that side of the ball being in black jerseys signifying injury.
Wide receiver Juice Wells, an All-SEC performer two seasons ago, did not participate due to offseason surgery. Certainly, a healthy Juice would have been in consideration for top offensive transfer portal player in spring.
Ditto with tight end Dae’Quan Wright from Virginia Tech and left tackle Diego Pounds from North Carolina.
Even though the candidates for the offensive award were slim due to non-offensive participation, the player we would give the hardware to may have won it even if everyone had practiced.
Washington offensive lineman Nate Kalepo moved right into the left guard slot vacated when Quincy McGee graduated and elevated the play of that position substantially. It did not take him long to catch on and his presence helped the guys flanking him, center Caleb Warren and left tackle Jayden Williams.
It must also be noted that Kalepo’s running buddy, Washington transfer OL Julius Buelow, who filled in for right tackle Micah Pettus, who missed spring due to injury, also put on a show and raised his stock with the coaches, we were told, but Kalepo beats him out by a nose due to his superior spring productivity.
Ole Miss offensive lineman Nate Kalepo (53). Credit: Joshua McCoy/Ole Miss Athletics
On the defensive side of the ball, our selection could be debated until Ole Miss’ 2024 season starts and there probably wouldn’t be a right or a wrong choice.
Linebacker ‘Pooh’ Paul, cornerback Trey Amos, safety Key Lawrence and corner Brandon Turnage all had terrific spring and could easily be named the best transfer portal defensive player in spring, but one stood out above all due to the difference he makes to the entire defense.
Defensive tackle Walter Nolen was, simply, the man on defense in spring. Why? He makes everyone’s job easier. Nolen eats up blockers and that allows the linebackers – namely Paul, T.J. Dudley and Khari Coleman – to run free to make tackles.
Nolen’s pressure up front also helps the corners and safeties not have to cover eligible receivers as long because Nolen gets in the quarterbacks’ face quickly.
Walter should draw some double teams as well and that will help fellow DT J.J. Pegues and the defensive ends more opportunities to rush the quarterback.
(Note: Defensive end Princely Umanmielen was in black most of spring due to shoulder issues.)
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said the main objective in the portal was to add big bodies who looked like the guys at Georgia and Alabama.
Mission accomplished with several, but the two who stuck out in spring drills were Nate Kalepo and Walter Nolen.
The post Nolen, Kalepo topped the Ole Miss spring transfer portal participants for productivity appeared first on On3.
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