When Michigan native Nolan Ziegler committed to the Notre Dame football program in 2022, there were some pretty high expectations for the talented running back. Unfortunately, injuries and illness cut into his career, and eventually, he left South Bend in the transfer portal after the 2023 season.
Ziegler landed at Central Michigan and for a while, he seemed to have finally gotten healthy enough that he was ready to go and play. However, as it turned out, the illness Ziegler suffered from took longer than he expected to recover.
In fact, not long after the former Notre Dame football linebacker found his new home he realized he wasn’t nearly healthy enough to return to the field yet.
Ex-Notre Dame football player in transfer portal again
In January 2024, Nolan enrolled at Central Michigan but his brain was not yet fully healed and he soon came home to be with his family while he continued to recover.
“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,” Nolan’s father Bryan recently told Fox 17 in Michigan.
““I think just having it taken away from you and really getting to understand, who is Nolan Ziegler without football and recovering from such a severe illness. Being able to battle back and continuing to do what I do, I just love it even more and cherish every moment of it,” the former Notre Dame football player said about his recovery and trying to find a new team.
Here’s hoping he finds success in the 2025 season.