{"id":237145,"date":"2025-09-18T20:02:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T20:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/237145\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T20:02:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T20:02:10","slug":"ryan-nolan-still-reps-gainesville-as-a-texas-state-football-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/237145\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Nolan still reps Gainesville as a Texas State football safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

A native of Gainesville, Fla.,\u00a0Texas state football<\/a> 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 \u201cgreatest,\u201d having watched him win the 2008 national championship.<\/p>\n

TEXAS STATE VS. NICHOLLS STATE<\/strong><\/p>\n

When\/where:\u00a0<\/strong>7 p.m. Saturday in San Marcos.<\/p>\n

TV\/radio:\u00a0<\/strong>ESPN+<\/p>\n

Since then, Nolan said he\u2019s always dreamed of making it out of his neighborhood and playing ball on the biggest stage.<\/p>\n

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Nolan arrived in San Marcos in 2024 and has become an indispensable part of\u00a0Texas State\u2019s defense.<\/a> However, his dream isn\u2019t completely fulfilled. He\u2019s never forgotten his \u201cwhy,\u201d he said, which he\u2019s brought with him from Gainesville High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/strong> How Brad Jackson’s high school freshman season led to success with Texas State football<\/a><\/p>\n

The quarterback of Texas State’s defense<\/p>\n

Nolan initially committed to play for Army out of high school, but he said the lifestyle didn\u2019t mesh with what he wanted to do. When he entered the transfer portal, Furman offered \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

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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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when Texas State<\/a> noticed and offered Nolan. Although the defensive back\u2019s 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<\/a> during his time with the Bobcats.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not the biggest. But he\u2019s just tough, He\u2019s smart, he\u2019s always going to do the right thing. He\u2019s super disciplined in his approach. He\u2019s mentally tough, he\u2019s physically tough,\u201d Texas State\u00a0 coach GJ Kinne said.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

Rick Scuteri\/Associated Press<\/p>\n

Nolan\u2019s 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\u2019s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense’s attack.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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From the back of the defense, Nolan shares his observations with teammates, gifting them a head start over their opponents.\u00a0Against UTSA,<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really savvy, and he knows routes. He knows leverages, he knows splits\u2026 he\u2019s just a really smart football player,\u201d wide receiver Beau Sparks said.<\/p>\n

Being ‘cut different’<\/p>\n

Nolan didn\u2019t have to leave Hutchinson after one year. Occasionally, people ask him why he didn\u2019t wait for another offer from a bigger school, he recalled. Or why, after leading Texas State in tackles in 2024, didn\u2019t he transfer out like others did?<\/p>\n

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Because the dream\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

“I want to make it. I want to represent for my city,” Nolan said. “I don’t know any other way to put it.”<\/p>\n

Nolan’s father always used to tell him he is \u201ccut different,” a reminder to his son that he isn\u2019t like everyone else \u2014 that not many people can dream about going where he wants to go.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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But even if he doesn’t land in the NFL, it doesn\u2019t subtract from what he\u2019s accomplished. Nolan started a clothing brand in high school named \u201cCut D1fferent\u201d after his father’s words. It’s still worn by people around Gainesville, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not Hollywood,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cI try to talk to anybody I can and give advice to anyone I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 no one can take that away from him.<\/p>\n

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“I wish we had a lot more guys like Ryan,” Kinne said.<\/p>\n

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