For Oxford native Cam Nolan, Holy Cross football career has been a dream come true

During any given Holy Cross football contest at Fitton Field, you can find a contingent of at least 20 to 30 fans in the home stands, donning matching lanyards in support of number 61: Cam Nolan. 

It’s a rather rowdy cheering section. After all, they don’t have to drive very far to get to home games. 

Among several Central Massachusetts natives on Holy Cross’ roster, Nolan — an Oxford native, living about 10 minutes from campus — has all the makings of a local legend. His parents are both Central Massachusetts natives; his great-grandfather attended Holy Cross; Nolan himself went to Crusader football games growing up. When Nolan would drive from his house to his high school, Saint John’s in Shrewsbury, he would pass by Fitton Field twice daily while traversing Interstate 290. 

Now, years later, Nolan suits up in the royal purple and white on Saturdays, marching out for the pregame coin toss as a two-time captain for the Crusaders. He’s a fierce competitor, but he’s just as fiercely loyal to his teammates, his school, his community and his family. Through the years, he’s transformed into a trusted leader, while also evolving into an All-Conference and All-America-tier offensive lineman — universally beloved by his teammates and dreaded by those opposing him in the trenches.

As a younger Nolan gazed out the window at the distinct O’Kane clock tower, the manicured hills of Mount St. James and the historic grass at Fitton Field, that dream school felt like a distant possibility at the time. But there was always the hope in his head that maybe, with a little bit of hard work, that dream could become a reality.

Local legend. Nolan nearly cringes as the phrase comes out of his mouth, with a wry grin, amused by the recollection of his teammates poking fun at him with those exact words. 

Regardless of Nolan’s personal feelings, it’s a title that’s well-earned. His proximity to his hometown has certainly led to an influx of local media coverage. But through the years, the narrative has shifted from simply playing college football close to home to becoming a talented player in his own right. 

As the Crusaders prepare to kick off their 2026 campaign this Saturday, Nolan is the most decorated student-athlete on the Holy Cross roster. His resume features two All-Patriot League selections, an All-New England nod, and multiple Preseason All-America recognitions entering this year. Beyond his excellence on the field, he’s found success off the gridiron as well: he was a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the combination of academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. 

He’s tough, physical, athletic — explosive and dynamic in the run game, with tremendous posture and vision in pass protection. He’s coachable, balances a strong football IQ with a no-nonsense work ethic, and is an incredibly complete player, notes Joe Kreinsen, Holy Cross’ offensive line coach and run game coordinator. 

After multiple seasons under the tutelage of All-Americans and eventual NFL players — absorbing as much knowledge as he could — Nolan’s breakthrough came during his junior season in 2024, and he has been a mainstay in the Crusader starting lineup since. He has started 20 consecutive games at right guard, and has appeared in 33 total games throughout his time on The Hill.

“He’s one of the most physically dominant players. I've been around,” said Dalton Daddona, Holy Cross’ running backs coach and a former offensive lineman with the Crusaders, who played three seasons alongside Nolan. “He just absolutely brings it every play. It doesn't matter who he's going against, the kid’s completely fearless. Just no care in the world, puts his body on the line. He's fun to play with and fun to coach, because he will always do what you say and just lets it rip. 

“He really cares about his teammates — and Holy Cross.”

His next opportunity to elevate his game, as he enters his fifth season at Holy Cross? He’ll take over as the Crusaders’ starting center this year, expanding his role in more ways than one. Beyond the added assignment of snapping the ball — a task that has become comfortable thanks to his natural athleticism — he has embraced the vocal responsibilities that also come with the job. 

“He has a tremendous amount of responsibility on him,” Kreinsen said. “The biggest difference between guard and center is the mental aspect, and his growth has come through reps within the spring and with his mental component of it. 

“He's really flourishing at the right time.”

For as long as Nolan can remember, he’s been absolutely fascinated by football — it was love at first sight. Every Sunday, Nolan’s grandparents would come over to watch New England Patriots games, and a young Cam would sit directly in front of the television, simultaneously staring at the screen and playing with the knobs on the TV stand, utterly engrossed by the brilliance of Brady and Co. Occasionally, he would take a break to dive on the couch and catch a pass or two thrown by his father. 

Nolan watched his older brother, Ryan, play football, and was completely awestruck, eager for his own chance to play. When he did finally get the chance — and when he got his first helmet and pair of shoulder pads — he hardly ever removed them. When his father would come home from work, Nolan would already be fully suited up, begging his dad to go outside and play. 

Nolan’s first position he ever played, at four years old? Center. In one of the earliest games he remembers playing, Nolan put on his full uniform — pads, jersey, helmet and all — at his house, and wore it for the entirety of the drive to and from the field. 

(And while that’s a heartwarming anecdote at first glance, that contest in particular was, ultimately, a lopsided affair. As Nolan recalls: the opposing team scored a touchdown just about every time they touched the ball, with the lone tackle of the game coming from Nolan himself.)

Early on, as he rose through the ranks of the Oxford Youth Football program and at Oxford High School, Nolan developed a reputation for his physicality, size and ability to run over opponents — especially during his early days as a running back. 

“You could tell right away he was going to be a football player,” said his father, Jimmy. “He loves the game, and he puts his heart and soul into it.”

Nolan played running back until his sophomore year of high school, with his sights set on moving toward defensive end until his team's right guard got injured. Nolan had the size to fill in, and his coaches assured him it would be for just one week, to get them through, and then he’d move back. 

“Yeah,” he said, before pausing and adding: “I ended up never moving back.”

There were some growing pains at first as he learned the new position, but once he gained a full understanding, he was enamored — not only by the physicality of the role, but the opportunity to create a pathway for his teammates. 

“I like hitting people,” Nolan said. “And you get to do that quite a bit. I liked pancaking people. I found it really fun, especially being a former running back. In high school, my best friend was our running back, and so I would always just tell him: ‘just run behind me.’”

Nolan had a handful of offers out of high school, but was hindered by both a COVID-shortened season and a thumb injury that limited his ability to attend camps. Still, Holy Cross was at the top of his list — but with so much depth at the o-line position, it was unclear if there was room for him on the roster. 

Ultimately, Nolan would be one of the final players to be offered by Holy Cross in his signing class, just days before the second signing day. At that point, there wasn’t any consideration needed — after he got the call that he was offered, he went downstairs, told his mom and dad, and called back to commit just 10 minutes later. 

Early in his time at Holy Cross, Nolan took the time to absorb every bit of knowledge he could. He relied on veteran right guard C.J. Hanson — who later was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the Crusaders’ first draft pick in over 30 years — as a wealth of information, with Hanson answering every single one of Nolan’s endless questions, and the two running extra drills before and after practices. 

“He taught me really everything that he knew, and that was really big for me,” Nolan said. 

As just a sophomore in 2023, Nolan knew his playing time would still be limited among one of the best offenses in the nation. Still, he embraced every opportunity he had to play as he saw the field when called upon over nine games. 

Heading into his junior year in 2024, the team began by rotating three guards, including Nolan — but injuries forced a shift in assignments, and Nolan became the full-time starter at right guard for the final eight games of the season, helping lift the Crusaders to a share of an unprecedented sixth consecutive Patriot League title. Nolan’s performance earned him All-Patriot League accolades. 

But the ever-humble, ever-coy Nolan downplays that last fact a bit. (Besides, he’d rather reframe the narrative to be about his teammates, not him.)

“I ended up starting the last eight games, played pretty well,” he said. “Got All-Conference, which was cool.

Then, with another smile: “Now, we're here.”

There’s a relaxed and carefree nature to Nolan, ego-free and unflappable. His dry sense of humor shines constantly, but when it’s time to be serious, he’s observant and engaged.

In every single way, Nolan is the perfect representation of the O-line’s culture at Holy Cross. It’s a position that naturally requires humility and begets selflessness, and it’s a room that emphasizes physicality, discipline and poise. And above all, the priority is loyalty, and a willingness to protect your teammate.

“He’s going to be the first one to help you up,” Jimmy said about his son. “He's going to be the first one to say, ‘Hey, are you alright?’ And that really stuck out over the years for us. That's part of the big heart he has — he's caring.”

“He's what the O-line position is,” Kreinsen said.

Holy Cross has helped Nolan mature over the years, developed him into a trusted and respected leader, and provided an opportunity for him to grow as a football player, a student and a man. 

“I grew up here,” Nolan said. “When I came in here as an 18-year-old kid… I didn't really have a clue about anything, right? But the community here really helps you so much, and the people here have always got your back.

“I've had so many different coaches that have poured their time and effort into me, and believed in me. I'm just really thankful for those guys, and just everything that the school has given.”

As each game week winds down, Nolan always makes time to settle down and spend time with his family. Weekly dinners are a must — his dad makes a mean chicken piccata, sometimes his mom makes steak or shrimp scampi, and there’s also the occasional family chili cook-off. 

Just as he is loyal and protective of his teammates, Nolan is equally devoted to his family. He’s a doting uncle to his nearly three-year-old nephew, Francis, and would do anything for the dozens of relatives that support him not only at Fitton on Saturdays, but in all aspects of his life. 

But in typical Nolan fashion, that crowd at Fitton doesn’t just want to support Cam — they’re there for the team.

“We’re just really positive people, cheering on the whole entire team,” said Kristin, Nolan’s mother. “We're not just rooting for Cam, we're rooting for everybody on the team. It's about the whole picture — we want to see the team be successful.”

Nolan is perhaps a bit more reserved in his pregame disposition than his family members, but even amid his focus, he always takes a moment to turn to the crowd.

“Right before kick off, I look up and see where my family is in the stands,” Nolan said, “and then they all wave at me, and I give a little smile back.”

A few weeks ago, Holy Cross hosted several youth teams at its “Meet the Crusaders” event — a skills fest where young, aspiring football players from the Worcester area had the chance to learn from current Holy Cross student-athletes. 

The kids in attendance — some donning their hometown gear, some wearing Patriots jerseys — were awestruck by the opportunity to play with college football players, refusing to leave the field at the conclusion of the event. They were simply kids who love football, and who had a dream of playing the sport they love at a higher level. 

As a team captain — and someone who grew up playing for Oxford Youth Football — Nolan spoke to the attendees following the conclusion of the event. He kept his words brief, of course, not wanting to take up too much of the spotlight. 

A local legend? Maybe not in Nolan’s words — but those kids would likely say otherwise. 

As they gazed up at Nolan, all they saw was a symbol that maybe one day, that could be them. And that one day, with a little bit of hard work, their dreams might come true, too. 

Holy Cross vs. #11 Lehigh 
Saturday, Aug. 29 | 3:30 p.m.
Fitton Field | Worcester, Mass.

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