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Tennessee hosted Walter Nolen on impermissible dead-period visit worth $3,000, per report
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Tennessee football was considered to be heavily involved in the recruitment of local Class of 2022 5-star DL prospect Walter Nolen before he committed to Texas A&M.
On Wednesday, it was revealed in a report by Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel that Nolen took an impermissible dead-period visit to Tennessee that cost staff members just under $3,000 to organize.
This of course occurred under now-fired head coach Jeremy Pruitt as part of a cheating scandal that included over 200 NCAA violations. Tennessee was recently punished for Pruitt and his staff’s violations, including a 5-year probation, scholarship reduction and a hefty fine.
Walter Nolen visited Tennessee in October 2020, a dead period visit that Jeremy Pruitt’s staff spent nearly $3,000 to fund.
Records revealed the details of the illicit visit for the former five-star recruit and current Texas A&M defensive lineman. https://t.co/3rR5lRIRrW
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) July 19, 2023
According to the report, Brian Niedermeyer, who coached inside linebackers with the Vols, paid student athletes to host Nolen. One of these players later revealed he spent the money on Marijuana and cigars for himself and others.
Tennessee staffers also paid for approximately $999 in free meals and over $550 in entertainment throughout the visit.
The report indicates that Pruitt told investigators he was not aware of Nolen’s visit. Four UT staffers organized the visit and at least 3 coaches knew of it, including Niedermeyer, defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley and wide receivers coach Tee Martin.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
