Ryan Nolan wanted to find a college football team that wanted the Gainesville (Fla.) defensive back as much as he wanted to attend the school.
Nolan wanted to make a commitment before his senior season.
The decision became much easier during Nolan’s visit to West Point that ended with him giving his verbal commitment to coach Jeff Monken Monday night.
“My visit at West Point was great,” Nolan said. “I loved everything about it. The campus was just the best I’ve ever seen and then the view to top it off was even better.
“The coaches all knew my name and knew what I played and where I was from and then it’s just a genuine love for one another at West Point. You can tell when someone wants you to play for them and that’s what led to my commitment to begin with.”
Nolan added, “But what really sealed it for me was life after football and the opportunities for life after football not even including the Army are very massive.”
Army is adding a versatile athlete in Nolan. The two-year starter has played safety, nickel, cornerback, running back, wide receiver and quarterback at Gainesville. The Black Knights are recruiting Nolan to play cornerback, safety or nickel.
Nolan, whose father served in the Army, was also offered by Navy. Duke, Georgia Tech and Troy also showed interest in Nolan.
“The relationship that I built with coach (Daryl) Dixon definitely played a big role in my decision,” Nolan said. “It showed that he actually wants me to play for them. The other coaches at other colleges never really got back with me as often and could tell they were looking for another player.”
2022 Army football commits (20)
OL Ned Brady, 6-4, 245, New Canaan (Conn.) HS: Other offers – Navy, Boston College, Rutgers, Syracuse, Buffalo
K Anderson Britton, 5-10, 155, Heritage HS, Ringgold, Ga.
S Caden Brungard, 6-1, 190, Western Wayne HS, Lake Ariel, Pa.: Other offers – Air Force
DL Mason Davis, 6-2, 260, Denton Ryan HS, Denton, Texas: Other offers – Air Force, Hawaii, North Texas
OL Sam Dec, 6-4, 250, Nease HS, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.: Other offers – Navy, Air Force, Marshall, Appalachian State, Florida International, Georgia Southern, UConn, Western Kentucky, Georgia State, Colorado State, Troy, UMass.
DE Chase Fambro, 6-3, 240, Spalding HS, Griffin, Ga.: Other offers – Coastal Carolina, Hawaii
QB Sylas Gomez, 6-2, 185, Central Catholic HS, San Antonio, Texas: First offer – Army.
DE Caden Harman, 6-3, 240, Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif.
DL Kody Harris, 6-2, 295, Middletown (Del.) HS: Other offers – Navy, Air Force. Visited Army, Navy and Air Force.
OL Kendrick Kirby, 6-3, 270, Calhoun (Ga.) HS: Other offers – Air Force, Memphis, Arkansas State, Marshall.
DT Bridger Knee, 6-2, 250, Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn.: Other offers – Ball State, Utah State
DB Ryan Nolan, 5-10, 170, Gainesville (Fla.) HS: Other offers – Navy
S Jamir Reyes, 6-1, 180, Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia, Pa.
QB Glenn Rice, 5-11, 180, Lancaster (Texas) HS: Other offers – Air Force.
FB Hunter Roddy, 6-foot, 220, Chaparral HS, Murrieta, Calif.: Other offers – Navy
OL Ryan Scott, 6-3, 250, Blessed Trinity HS, Roswell, Ga.: First offer – Army
TE Toby Thompson, 6-4, 240, Cherokee HS, Canton, Ga.: Other offers – Air Force
WR Neo Vossschulte, 6-4, 190, Episcopal Academy, Newtown Square, Pa.
CB Curtis Whiting, 5-11, 181, Hackensack (N.J.) HS
TE Cooper Wilkinson, 6-3, 235, New Smyrna Beach (Fla.) HS: Committed during visit on June 6.
Commits by state: Georgia (5), Pennsylvania (3), Texas (3), Florida (3), California (2), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), New Jersey (1), Tennessee (1)
Commits offered by Navy: 5
Commits offered by Air Force: 7
