Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks talked at the Knoxville Quarterback’s Club, Monday. The Broyles Award nominee wasn’t just talking to Vol fans and media at the event, there was a special guest in attendance.
Walter Nolen, the nation’s No. 2 prospect, was in attendance to listen to the Vols’ defensive coordinator.
With Nolen in the building, it was no surprise Banks offered plenty of praise for Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
“You’d be a fool not want to play for him (Garner),” Banks told the crowd.
With DT Walter Nolen in the audience at the Knoxville QB club, Tennessee DC Tim Banks said UT DL coach Rodney Garner is the best DL coach in nation and 'you'd be a fool to not want to play for him' and if you 'want to play in the NFL.' Nolen is committed to Texas A&M.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) November 22, 2021
Nolen, a Powell High School standout, committed to Texas A&M on Nov. 13. The nation’s best defensive tackle visited College Station three times this fall including for the Aggies’ upset win over Alabama.
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From the moment Nolan committed, it was clear Tennessee wasn’t going to stop its pursuit of the nation’s No. 2 prospect. That’s the nature of college football recruiting.
Still, the Vols’ efforts to flip the highly touted prospect don’t appear anywhere near impossible. The week following his commitment to Texas A&M, Nolan went ahead with a previously scheduled visit to Tennessee for the Georgia game.
Nolen coming to the Knoxville Quarterback’s Club is the latest example that the state’s No. 1 prospect is still listening to Tennessee’s pitch.
Banks pitch of playing for Rodney Garner isn’t a challenging one to make. Garner has been one of the nation’s best defensive line coaches for 25 years, encompassing stops at Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia.
Garner has coached and developed 10 All-Americans, 32 NFL Draft picks and seven first round selections in the NFL Draft.
Despite two visits to Tennessee this fall, Nolen has not used an official visit. The next step for the Vols to flip the Nolen is getting him on campus for an official visit.
