Staying home: Oxford native enters final season with the Crusaders

WORCESTER – Soon after Holy Cross’ 2025 season ended, two-time All-Patriot League offensive lineman Cam Nolan entered the transfer portal with thoughts of playing his fifth and final year of eligibility somewhere else.

Nolan, who has pro aspirations, heard from a number of schools that presented him with good opportunities, but it was Holy Cross coach Dan Curran who showed the most interest in keeping Nolan at HC.

“Coach Curran called me and we had a good conversation,” Nolan, who grew up in Oxford and graduated from St. John’s High, said during HC media day at Fitton Field Aug. 12. “I trust in the staff here. I trust in the guys here. I obviously love being here.

“I decided here was home,” Nolan said, “and this is where I want to be.”

Nolan’s return strengthens an offensive line that includes returning starting tackles Brad Blattner of Shrewsbury and Bennett Nunnally, who are both seniors, experienced backup Sean Woods, also a senior, and two transfer guards.

Nolan, a preseason All-America who started HC’s last 20 games at right guard, is shifting to center this season.

“Any time you can get a preseason All-America and legitimate NFL prospect back for a fifth year it’s going to help your team,” Curran said, “and this team in particular with so many new faces. Having someone who was a captain last year understands what we’re trying to do as a program and what we want our culture to be. He’s been invaluable in the entire transition from the offseason to preseason. He’s going to be a big part of what we do this year.”

Nolan’s move to center, which Curran believes will help the team and the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Nolan’s draft stock, has gone smoothly.

“NFL teams want to know if he can snap,” Curran said, “so having the ability to do that in live games as opposed to projecting it is going to help, and he knew he could help the team create more depth on the offensive line.

“He had a few growing pains in the spring,” Curran said, “but he did a great job after about the third or fourth practice and he’s been lights out since then.”

During the transition, Nolan has worked closely with new offensive line coach Joe Kreinsen.

“I feel like at center, the stuff I’m learning now is a lot more mental than it is the physical part of the game,” Nolan said. “I played four years at right guard and it’s a lot of similar stuff, just moving it over (to center) and being smart enough to recognize defenses and what they’re going to do.”

Nolan earned his bachelor's degree in political science and walked in Holy Cross’ graduation this spring. In returning for a fifth season of football, he took on a double major and is working toward his degree in philosophy.

Nolan, who Curran said is doing a great job leading the offensive line, broke down the huddle at the end of Monday’s practice.

“As good as Cam is on the field, he’s a tremendous presence in the (OL) room,” Blattner said. “Cam is someone who has been around the game for so long and he’s such a great player that he’s a resource for everyone, even if you don’t play his position. He’s someone you can bounce ideas off and see what he does on the field and at practice and model your game after it.”

Nolan, the true veteran of the team, learned a lot in his first year as a captain in 2025.

“Last year was stepping into a leadership role,” Nolan said, “and finding out what works for me. This year is just building off that and helping our younger guys and giving them the knowledge they need to be successful here.”

Nolan has remained in close contact with former Holy Cross teammate and current Kansas City Chiefs guard C.J. Hanson, as well as former HC offensive lineman Luke Newman, who played four seasons at HC and a fifth year at Michigan State and is now with the Chicago Bears.

Hanson and Newman were both late-round draft picks.

Nolan went to a Chiefs game last season and met with Hanson afterward.

“C.J. and I talk all the time and he is a great asset,” Nolan said, “and Luke is great as well. I appreciate those guys.”

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTandG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Staying home: Oxford native enters final season with the Crusaders