A native of Gainesville, Fla., Texas state football safety Ryan Nolan grew up watching the Gators play at night, as his father took him to a few games. He said he considers Florida quarterback Tim Tebow to be one of the “greatest,” having watched him win the 2008 national championship.
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Since then, Nolan said he’s always dreamed of making it out of his neighborhood and playing ball on the biggest stage.
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Nolan arrived in San Marcos in 2024 and has become an indispensable part of Texas State’s defense. However, his dream isn’t completely fulfilled. He’s never forgotten his “why,” he said, which he’s brought with him from Gainesville High School.
“Just trying to do it for my family,” Nolan said. “My mom. Doing it for the kids back home, my siblings: I have five sisters, one brother and three nephews. I just want to be something my family has never seen before.”
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The quarterback of Texas State’s defense
Nolan initially committed to play for Army out of high school, but he said the lifestyle didn’t mesh with what he wanted to do. When he entered the transfer portal, Furman offered — after a player decommitted from its program. Feeling unwanted, Nolan decided to attend Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He said defensive backs coach LaQuintin Black had recruited him in high school and had immediately reached out once Nolan became available.
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During his time with the Blue Dragons, all Nolan had were his teammates, football and his faith in God, he said. Without any distractions, Nolan recorded 22 tackles that season and led the NJCAA conference with seven interceptions. Three of those takeaways came in his third game of the year against Iowa Central.
That’s when Texas State noticed and offered Nolan. Although the defensive back’s athleticism flashed on the JUCO level, he’s learned to find other ways to win in the Sun Belt. At 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, he said he has faced some athletic freaks during his time with the Bobcats.
“He’s not the biggest. But he’s just tough, He’s smart, he’s always going to do the right thing. He’s super disciplined in his approach. He’s mentally tough, he’s physically tough,” Texas State coach GJ Kinne said.
Texas State safety Ryan Nolan (7) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
Nolan’s football intelligence might be his biggest strength. Growing up, he had strong mentors in former Florida players such as Vincent Brown Sr. and Vernell Brown Jr., along with former Troy defensive back Tavares Williams Sr. Defensive formations like Cover Three and Cover Four were drilled into his head as an 8-year-old, he said. With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense’s attack.
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From the back of the defense, Nolan shares his observations with teammates, gifting them a head start over their opponents. Against UTSA, Nolan said he used his communication to put cornerback Khamari Terrell in the right spots. Pro Football Focus gave Terrell a 70.1 defensive grade that game, his best of the year.
“He’s really savvy, and he knows routes. He knows leverages, he knows splits… he’s just a really smart football player,” wide receiver Beau Sparks said.
Being ‘cut different’
Nolan didn’t have to leave Hutchinson after one year. Occasionally, people ask him why he didn’t wait for another offer from a bigger school, he recalled. Or why, after leading Texas State in tackles in 2024, didn’t he transfer out like others did?
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Because the dream’s always been to play in the NFL. He loves playing for Texas State, but Nolan said chasing the bag in college football has never been the end goal.
“I want to make it. I want to represent for my city,” Nolan said. “I don’t know any other way to put it.”
Nolan’s father always used to tell him he is “cut different,” a reminder to his son that he isn’t like everyone else — that not many people can dream about going where he wants to go.
Some aren’t as talented. Others, Nolan said, didn’t have the privilege of growing up with a dad like he did. As the junior progresses throughout his college journey, he remembers something his mentors told him: Don’t be the one to come back home empty-handed. It’s part of what drives his incessant work ethic.
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But even if he doesn’t land in the NFL, it doesn’t subtract from what he’s accomplished. Nolan started a clothing brand in high school named “Cut D1fferent” after his father’s words. It’s still worn by people around Gainesville, he said.
“I’m not Hollywood,” Nolan said. “I try to talk to anybody I can and give advice to anyone I can.”
Nolan’s journey and motivations have morphed him into the exact kind of player Kinne wants at Texas State, and one of the best safeties in the Sun Belt. He’s gained plenty throughout his career — no one can take that away from him.
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“I wish we had a lot more guys like Ryan,” Kinne said.
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