Fifth-year captain Cam Nolan of the Holy Cross football team has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, as announced on Wednesday, Sept. 23 by the National Football Foundation.

Now in its 37th 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.

A 2026 Preseason All-America selection, Nolan is a two-time All-Patriot League honoree, earning first team honors during the 2025 season. Additionally in 2025, he was named All-New England and received the Davitt Award as the team's offensive player of the year in back-to-back seasons. Nolan was also a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2025 and was also an Academic All-Patriot League selection. 

He has started 24 consecutive games along the offensive line for the Crusaders, and has appeared in 37 games during his Holy Cross career.

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 206 semifinalists for the award, and is among just 45 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 to 16 finalists on Oct. 21, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross football team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
X - @HCrossFB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossfb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Football | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross