'I think he’s elevated his play this preseason': Holy Cross junior Cam Nolan of Oxford is ready to boost offensive line

WORCESTER – Every day for four years, when Cam Nolan traveled from his home in Oxford along Interstate 290 to St. John’s High in Shrewsbury, he passed right by Fitton Field, thinking it would be pretty cool to play college football there one day.

When it came time for Nolan to pick a college, Holy Cross was everything he wanted.

Now a HC junior, Nolan is looking forward to increased playing time on the offensive line, and he is ready to help the Crusaders continue their run of success.

“Cam did a really nice job in the spring,” first-year Holy Cross coach Dan Curran said during the team’s media day Wednesday at Fitton Field, “and I think he’s elevated his play this preseason.”

Nolan, who was a three-year, two-way starter at St. John’s, played the last two seasons behind starting right guard C.J. Hanson, whom the Kansas City Chiefs selected in the seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft.

Nolan, though, appeared in nine games last season and gained valuable experience.

“Playing two years behind C.J. was very helpful,” Nolan said, “seeing what it takes every day, and getting into games was crucial.”

When Nolan arrived at Holy Cross as a freshman , he weighed 310 pounds and had 28% body fat. He enters this season at 300 pounds and with 19% body fat.

His work in the weight room with director of sports performance Chris Grautski has been transformational.

“Coach Grautski changes your body completely,” Nolan said.

This summer, Nolan’s workouts focused on speed, power and explosion.

“It was about getting better in the weight room,” Nolan said, “meeting with the coaches, getting the new playbook in, and getting together as a team and really building up that chemistry.”

Last year’s offensive line of Luke Newman, Eric Schon, Christo Kelly, Hanson and Pat McMurtrie started every game together and helped HC rank in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense, total offense and scoring offense.

Newman, Schon and McMurtrie moved on for graduate opportunities at FBS programs, leaving Kelly, the center, as the only returning starter.

Declan McCauley and Dalton Daddona, fifth-year seniors like Kelly, filled valuable backup roles on the OL the last couple of seasons while HC rotated players. Nolan, senior Cam McNair and junior Joe Metzger also seized important opportunities coming off the bench.

“Losing three guys to FBS schools and a guy to the NFL, naturally you would think there would be a big decline,” HC senior quarterback Joe Pesansky said, “but that’s not the case. We have guys with a lot of experience, guys who work really hard in the weight room and on the field and give it their all in the run game and the pass game. They are smart guys, and I am more than confident standing behind those guys and trusting those guys.”

Curran said he expects Nolan to play a big role on the OL this season.

“I’m an upperclassman now,” Nolan said, “so I’m trying to be a leader in the room, getting very close with the young guys and helping them out the same way the older guys did with me.

“Everyone is competing in the offensive line room,” Nolan said. “I see my role this year as getting out there, working as a cohesive unit and just trying to be the best we can.”

Nolan is one of five players from Central Mass. on the roster that includes junior wide receiver Matt Brunelle (Paxton/St. John’s/Loomis Chaffee), sophomore offensive lineman Brad Blattner (Shrewsbury), sophomore defensive lineman Keating Oliver (Auburn) and freshman safety Ron Burton (Hubbardston/St. John’s).

Holy Cross opens the 2024 season Aug. 31 at the University of Rhode Island. The Crusaders play their home opener Sept. 7 against the University of New Hampshire.

“When I was younger, I came to a few games here,” Nolan said. “Now, I have 20-30 family and friends here for every game. Looking up to see them makes me very happy, very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish so far, and I love being here.”

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

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'I think he’s elevated his play this preseason': Holy Cross junior Cam Nolan of Oxford is ready to boost offensive line