Senior captain Cam Nolan of the Holy Cross football team has been named a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, as announced on Wednesday, Sept. 24 by the National Football Foundation.

Now in its 36th year being presented, the Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

Nolan is a team captain at Holy Cross in 2025, and has had a stellar career as an offensive lineman for the Crusaders. He has started 12 contests since the start of the 2024 season, including every contest at right guard so far this year. Nolan was an All-Patriot League honoree in 2024, helping anchor an offensive line that allowed just 1.08 sacks per game, the best mark in the Patriot League and 11th-best nationally. He helped the Crusaders average 27.6 points per contest and 153.7 rushing yards per game last season. 

He also earned the Crusaders' 2024 Davitt Award as Holy Cross' most outstanding offensive lineman. 

A political science major at Holy Cross, Nolan has earned Patriot League Academic Honor Roll laurels during his time on The Hill. He has volunteered with Oxford Youth Football, and additionally volunteered with Spectrum Health Systems, supporting staff to facilitate group treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. He has joined his teammates in numerous community service initiatives, including the department's work with Working for Worcester.

Nolan is one of 177 semifinalists for the award, and is among just 44 at the FCS level. Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 36th Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

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