Why Texas A&M commit Walter Nolen is taking official visit to Tennessee football this weekend

CHATTANOOGA – Walter Nolen helped Powell win its first TSSAA Class 5A football state championship on Friday.

On Saturday he'll be at Tennessee on an official visit.

Nolen confirmed that he plans to visit the Vols this weekend despite playing through being sick in the Class 5A BlueCross Bowl — a 42-34 win over Page.

Nolen got sick a couple times in the win, but played through it. He also left the game at one point after he was hit in the back of the knee.

STATE CHAMPS: Powell football wins first TSSAA Class 5A state title in Jordyn Potts vs. Jake McNamara quarterback duel

BLUECROSS BOWLS: TSSAA football state championship game results from BlueCross Bowl weekend

Regardless, he'll be in Knoxville to visit coach Josh Heupel and the Vols staff this weekend. Nolen, a 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive lineman, is committed to Texas A&M.

"I just want to talk to the coaches," Nolen said. "I've already seen everything school wise, facility wise, teacher wise. It's just me wanting to go and getting to know the coaches better."

Nolen, a five-star defensive lineman, is the No. 1 college prospect in Tennessee and No. 2 in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. Nolen had seven total tackles with four for loss. He also had a pair of sacks of Colorado State commitment Jake McNamara.

He finished the season with 91 total tackles, 30 for loss and 17 sacks in his lone season at Powell after transferring from St. Benedict in the offseason.

Nolen said he was around 80% as he dealt with feeling sick during the game.

"I wasn't going to miss this game for anything," Nolen said.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee football recruiting: Walter Nolen taking official visit