When Nolan Ziegler, a Michigan native, made the decision to commit to the Notre Dame football program in 2022, there was plenty of anticipation surrounding his potential. The talented linebacker was expected to make a significant impact on the field, but a series of unfortunate setbacks, including injuries and a serious illness, would sideline his career. As a result, after the 2023 season, Ziegler made the difficult decision to enter the transfer portal, leaving South Bend in search of a fresh start.
Ziegler’s journey took him to Central Michigan, where he hoped to make a full recovery and return to the field. Initially, it seemed as if his health was improving, and he was poised to put the past behind him. However, it soon became clear that the illness he had battled was more lingering than he had anticipated. Despite his efforts, Ziegler found that he wasn’t yet physically prepared to resume his football career.
In January 2024, after enrolling at Central Michigan, Ziegler’s battle with his health continued. His brain had not yet fully healed, and recognizing that he wasn’t ready to take the field, he made the difficult choice to leave the program. With his family’s support, Ziegler returned home to continue his recovery and to refocus on his well-being.
Reflecting on this challenging period, Ziegler’s father, Bryan, shared the emotional toll it took on their family. “It took a very team-based approach and a lot of very caring individuals that have gone the extra time to get to the point where they just wanted to see him get back on track,” Bryan told Fox 17 in Michigan. The process of recovery and the struggle to regain his health had forced Nolan to confront who he was without football, a reality that has reshaped his outlook on the game.
Despite the challenges, Ziegler has found renewed appreciation for the sport. “Being able to battle back and continuing to do what I do, I just love it even more and cherish every moment of it,” he said. His journey isn’t over, though, as Ziegler has once again entered the transfer portal, hoping for a fresh opportunity and to fully reclaim his career, with an even deeper understanding of the game and his own resilience.