'14 NY DT Thomas Holley (Florida Verbal)

[Emcee77]

Can't decide my level of "want" for Holley. Our recent DL recruits from the northeast haven't turned out very well. Maybe there's something to the concerns over poor competition.

I think that's fair enough, but I still have Holley pretty high on my want list. I love the physical tools he brings (unlike Stockton, who is not really physically cut out for Diaco's defense), and I think that's the most important thing if you have confidence in the staff's ability to coach guys up. And I think we do. Ishaq and Jones will come around. They just have more development to do because of the poor level of competition in high school.

 

[NDWorld247]

Bring it back to Holley, fellas.

Holley is going to have a monster senior season

 

[Son of Kenmare]

Each player develops at their own pace. Certainly level of competition will improve the curve but I have confidence that these players when competing in practice daily with highly talented teammates will accelerate their learning curve. Sometimes this is to the decrement when practicing against a dominant teammate and confidence is lost.

 

[PANDFAN]

He'll leave for the state of Florida next Wednesday to see the Gators, Florida State and Miami (Fla.). He plans to stop by Notre Dame later in the month.

"Those are the only ones I know for sure right now," Holley added.

The first question he plans to ask those schools will center on academics. Holley wants to know whether they offer a criminal justice major, what kind of academic support he'll receive and the classroom size. He also wants to find an environment where he feels comfortable and discover a staff he can relate to.

talks highly of penn state, loves larry johnson..cousin goes there
insider

 

[Rack Em]

He'll leave for the state of Florida next Wednesday to see the Gators, Florida State and Miami (Fla.). He plans to stop by Notre Dame later in the month.

"Those are the only ones I know for sure right now," Holley added.

The first question he plans to ask those schools will center on academics. Holley wants to know whether they offer a criminal justice major, what kind of academic support he'll receive and the classroom size. He also wants to find an environment where he feels comfortable and discover a staff he can relate to.

talks highly of penn state, loves larry johnson..cousin goes there
insider

Comedic genius or blissfully naive?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

He'll leave for the state of Florida next Wednesday to see the Gators, Florida State and Miami (Fla.). He plans to stop by Notre Dame later in the month.

"Those are the only ones I know for sure right now," Holley added.

The first question he plans to ask those schools will center on academics. Holley wants to know whether they offer a criminal justice major, what kind of academic support he'll receive and the classroom size. He also wants to find an environment where he feels comfortable and discover a staff he can relate to.

talks highly of penn state, loves larry johnson..cousin goes there
insider

Oh God, here comes FSU with their #1 criminal justice program speech.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think Miami is one to watch here as well. He mentioned to a non-ND site (can't remember which one) that Miami has been by the most to see him. He has developed a great relationship with Golden. Likes that he's a NJ guy, etc. And when I read that it started to sound like another NJ propsect we really wanted last cycle that ended up in Miami. IMO, we need to turn the heat up on this kid soon, or I fear the same outcome.

 

[FLDomer]

Freaken Miami is tryen to load up on DT this cycle! I think they already have 2 or 3 committed.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Freaken Miami is tryen to load up on DT this cycle! I think they already have 2 or 3 committed.

They have one committed but also lead for Khari Clark and are in it heavy with Travonte Valentine.

 

[BeauBenken]

I think Miami is one to watch here as well. He mentioned to a non-ND site (can't remember which one) that Miami has been by the most to see him. He has developed a great relationship with Golden. Likes that he's a NJ guy, etc. And when I read that it started to sound like another NJ propsect we really wanted last cycle that ended up in Miami. IMO, we need to turn the heat up on this kid soon, or I fear the same outcome.

A NY guy likes a Jersey guy? Whoa...

 

[FLDomer]

They have one committed but also lead for Khari Clark and are in it heavy with Travonte Valentine.

Rivals shows 2, Dalvon Stuckley and Courtel Jenkins.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Rivals shows 2, Dalvon Stuckley and Courtel Jenkins.

Ahh I see, Courtel Jenkins is a OG on 247.

 

[FLDomer]

Ahh I see, Courtel Jenkins is a OG on 247.

I figured one of them probably would be considered a guard, considering there size and if they are going after all these other DTs.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Oh God, here comes FSU with their #1 criminal justice program speech.

Does it count that they have the most athletes arrested? I mean, is that a real selling point?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Does it count that they have the most athletes arrested? I mean, is that a real selling point?

Can't beat that kind of hands on training.

 

[ThePiombino]

Does it count that they have the most athletes arrested? I mean, is that a real selling point?

Internship.

 

[Son of Kenmare]

Best Co-op Program in D1 Football

 

[FLDomer]

.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Best Co-op Program in D1 Football

Ceann Mhara, wasn't that home to Big Bertha?

 

[Big23Head]

Clemson visit very likely for Holley

DL Thomas Holley of Brooklyn, NY will take a trip to the state of Florida next week to visit the big three, Miami, Florida and Florida State. "After that, I don't have any visit scheduled," said Holley. "But I'm definitely going to visit Clemson and Notre Dame. Hopefully I can get down to Clemson this summer." Holley remains in contact with the Tigers coaching staff. "They keep telling me how much I could help out on their defense," he said. "They tell me about the academics over there and what it's like there." NC State is the latest to offer Holley but he is undecided on a visit to Raleigh. Holley wants to take several visits before he begins to narrow his list and says he does not any favorites. Each of the previously mentioned schools have offered Holley. Alabama, Pitt, Rutgers, Boston College, Tennessee, Penn State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Kentucky an Nebraska among others have also offered.

 

[STLDomer]

Will be at ND on 6/21 per Wiltfong

 

[Buster Bluth]

Current Rankings:

247: #9 DT #70 OVR (96 Rating)
Rivals: #4 DT #84 OVR (5.9 Rating)
ESPN: #8 DT #93 OVR (83 Rating)
Scout: #13 DT
247Comp: #3 DT #60 OVR (.9686 Rating)

Needless to say, he'd be a fine addition.

 

[Irish#1]

Current Rankings:

247: #9 DT #70 OVR (96 Rating)
Rivals: #4 DT #84 OVR (5.9 Rating)
ESPN: #8 DT #93 OVR (83 Rating)
Scout: #13 DT
247Comp: #3 DT #60 OVR (.9686 Rating)

Needless to say, he'd be a fine addition.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[stlnd01]

Current Rankings:

247: #9 DT #70 OVR (96 Rating)
Rivals: #4 DT #84 OVR (5.9 Rating)
ESPN: #8 DT #93 OVR (83 Rating)
Scout: #13 DT
247Comp: #3 DT #60 OVR (.9686 Rating)

Needless to say, he'd be a fine addition.

Absolutely, though given his other schools of primary interest it feels like he might be a tough pull.
Also, maybe I'm not so good at the math, but how is it that his 247 Composite ranking/rating is better than any of his individual ratings? I thought that was some sort of average

 

[NDWorld247]

Will be at ND on 6/21 per Wiltfong

I have a good feeling about this. I think Holley is impressed with the school/academics, as most recruits are, but the family atmosphere with all of the IrishMob and GoldenArmy members there is what puts ND out front. I expect his recruitment to last throughout the season but I like our chances.

 

[ChiRish]

Current Rankings:

247: #9 DT #70 OVR (96 Rating)
Rivals: #4 DT #84 OVR (5.9 Rating)
ESPN: #8 DT #93 OVR (83 Rating)
Scout: #13 DT
247Comp: #3 DT #60 OVR (.9686 Rating)

Needless to say, he'd be a fine addition.

Always appreciate the rankings update Buster after a visit confirmation or other news comes down. Thanks.

 

[JD Irish]

I have a good feeling about this. I think Holley is impressed with the school/academics, as most recruits are, but the family atmosphere with all of the IrishMob and GoldenArmy members there is what puts ND out front. I expect his recruitment to last throughout the season but I like our chances.

Holley was on the Yahoo Rivals radio this weekend at the Rivals100 event in Chicago. During the interview, Holley stated something along the lines of he will "most likely" or "very probably" -- something like that--- go to school in the south. Take it for what it's worth though because the radio personalities seemed like SEC homers and were basically probing him to that that sort of response by talking up the SEC, etc.

 

[NDWorld247]

Holley was on the Yahoo Rivals radio this weekend at the Rivals100 event in Chicago. During the interview, Holley stated something along the lines of he will "most likely" or "very probably" -- something like that--- go to school in the south. Take it for what it's worth though because the radio personalities seemed like SEC homers and were basically probing him to that that sort of response by talking up the SEC, etc.

I listened to that interview. The hosts basically put those words in his mouth. Something like "you'd be crazy not to want to get out of the north and go south where the weather is nice year round". He laughed it off. I have watched several interviews with him and nothing I've heard leads me to believe he is a lock for the south.

 

[PANDFAN]

FSU and Florida even expressed the same desire to use Holley in multiple positions.

"Both see me playing D-tackle and possibly sliding around to end," he said.

After visiting Miami, Holley has plans to see Notre Dame later this month. He's making a concerted effort to see schools outside of his northeast region but says he still doesn't have any official visits in mind.

"These trips are definitely helping to plan that out, but that's later down the road," he said. "I'm just trying to find out what I like and don't like about a school."

One thing the Gators did to forge a stronger connection with Holley was to introduce him to senior Dominique Easley, a fellow New Yorker who also plays defensive tackle and defensive end.

insider

 

[Emcee77]

I want this guy real bad. Just the sort of versatile DL that we need. Similar skill set to EV (*sigh*).