Nolan Carroll

Nolan A. Carroll II a native of Jacksonville, Florida is a retired National Football League (NFL)
player. He graduated from Clay High School and is a graduate of the University of Maryland.
At Clay High, besides playing football, he played soccer and ran track in the same school year.
He was swift with speed becoming one of the fastest, if not the fastest, high schoolers in Clay
County, Florida where he was coined the nickname “Flash.” Nolan received many athletic
awards in high school: First place in Florida Crown Conference in track and field, first place
winner at the 11th annual Clay County Track and Field Championship 4X400, 100 Meter Dash
and 4X100 Meter Relay. He was named Florida Star Conference Athletic Award All Conference
for boy’s track, Clay County Football Super 11 and All County Player and Florida Times Union
Super 24 High School Football Player.
He received a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. He jumped a vertical of 41.0, which
was the third best mark among defensive backs in Maryland’s history and ran a 4.35 in the 40 at
his Maryland Pro Day. Nolan was invited to the NFL Combine in 2010- he was impressive and
caught the eye of many scouts which landed him invites to workouts with various NFL teams.
After graduating from college, Nolan was drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the
Miami Dolphins where he excelled in his four years with the Dolphins. Nolan started 20 games
in his four years with Miami and was a playmaker at all levels. He had 5 interceptions, one
forced fumble and 3 quarterback sacks in his career with the Dolphins. In 2013 Nolan lead all
Dolphins’ cornerback in tackle percentage stopping opposing quarterback completion
percentages. Nolan was one of the top free agent corners available in 2014. In 2014 Nolan
made the list of potential pro bowl eligible players.
As a free agent, Nolan signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. In 2015 week-6, Nolan was
named to “Gruden's Grinder.” Nolan shut down Odell Beckham Jr. and had a pick-6 to change
the momentum of the game for an Eagles win. By the 11th game in the 2015 season, before his
season ending injury when a fellow players fell on and broke his fibula, Nolan ranked 2nd
amongst all NFL cornerbacks with 57 tackles, 10 pass-defensed, and two interceptions
including a return for a touchdown. In 2015 Nolan made the list of potential pro bowl eligible
players.

After spending eight years in the league, Nolan retired from the Dallas Cowboys and went into
business. Finding a new passion—public speaking—he published a motivational book, “It’s Up
To You,” and he found a way to utilize his playing experience to help encourage others. Nolan
knew from experience that changing habits and environments can accelerate growth potentials
and encourage change for the better.
In 2016 Nolan established the Nolan Carroll Foundation with a mission to support educational
opportunities and promote healthy lifestyle for today’s disadvantaged youths. The foundation is
active in providing S.T.E.M. educational opportunities to help improve academic achievements
among underprivileged youths.
In 2021, seeing doors closed to high school football players due to COVID-19 restrictions, which
prevented opportunities to advance to the next level football, Nolan started a Junior College
Athletic program. The program is designed to give a second chance to players to develop their
on-field skills, and gain experience while furthering their college degree to help them achieve
their goals to play college football.
Nolan’s hope is to inspire others to reach for their dreams and change their lives for the better...
one positive step at a time.
Nolan is the proud dad of Nolan Carroll III.