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National Signing Day: 5 recruits with No. 1 NFL Draft pick upside

By Scott Rogust

Westview's quarterback Ty Simpson (6) enters the end zone scoring Westview's fourth touch down before halftime during a game against Westview on Friday, Oct 8, 2021 in Martin, Tenn.Jtn Huntingdonvswestview2021
Westview's quarterback Ty Simpson (6) enters the end zone scoring Westview's fourth touch down before halftime during a game against Westview on Friday, Oct 8, 2021 in Martin, Tenn.Jtn Huntingdonvswestview2021 /
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Walter Nolen Texas A&M football
Powell’s Walter Nolen (99) during the KOC Kick-Off Classic football jamboree held at the University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium on Friday, August 13, 2021.Kns Knox Football Jamboree Bp /

With National Signing Day taking place on Dec. 15, these five recruits have the most upside to be potential first-overall picks in the NFL Draft.

College football has not been short on news in the past couple of weeks. From the announcement of bowl game matchups, the insane head coaching carousel and the transfers of some high profile players, a lot has happened. Things are not going to slow down any time soon in college football, especially this week.

This Wednesday is National Signing Day, where the class of 2022 recruiting class signs their letters of intent to their respective schools. There are a ton of highly graded prospects entering the college football world, but which ones have the potential to be the first overall selection in future NFL Drafts? Here are five prospects who can do so.

Walter Nolen, DL, Texas A&M

We start things off with the second-overall recruit in the entire nation, per 247 Sports Composite, in Powell High School defensive lineman Walter Nolen.

This season, Nolen recorded 76 total tackles (67 solo), 12 sacks, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 13 games at Powell, per MaxPreps. Not only that, but he also rushed for five touchdowns on seven carries.

The 6-4, 325-pound defensive lineman committed to playing for Texas A&M back in November, and he is already projected to be a first-round draft prospect. 247 Sports’ Gabe Brooks compared Nolen to former Clemson Tigers and current New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who was selected 17th-overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

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