Nick Holman jumps up recruiting board
Bob Jones linebacker Nick Holman sacks Gadsden City QB in playoff game last season
(photo contributed)
MADISON- For high school football players looking to play at the next level the recruiting landscape can change quickly with new coaches coming and going. This has been the case for Bob Jones senior linebacker Nick Holman.
Oklahoma was recruiting Holman and was his favorite but that changed when defensive coordinator Mike Stoops left to take over at Kentucky.
With his recruiting wide open, interest has grown from colleges in the SEC to the Big Ten. Holman jumped up the boards and is now ranked the 61st best prospect in the state by 24/7sports.com. The site ranks Holman as the fifth best inside linebacker in the state and 50th best in the country.
So far this summer Holman has been to camps at MississippiState, South Alabama, Louisiana Lafayette, Tulane, and UAB. A new development for Holman is an invitation to the Alabama camp this month.
“They called me during the evaluation period and said they wanted me to come work out for them,” Holman said of Alabama. “I was surprised when they called. They already have two linebacker commits. If I can go there and run a 4.6 at 230 pounds I can impress them.”
Holman has also been invited to attend a camp at the University of Minnesota on July 20.
His solid performance in the North Alabama Elite 7 on 7 helped Bob Jones bring home first place. Coach Kevin Rose said he considered naming Holman MVP of the tournament. The team plays in the Music City Classic 7-on–7 Tournament on July 12 and 13.
“He’s definitely a Division 1 football player,” Rose said of Holman. “He already has an offer from UAB. He’s exactly what you are looking for in a ‘Mike’ linebacker. A 6-foot-2, 228 pound linebacker that runs good and I expect him to have a great senior year.”
Academically Holman has already qualified and has a near-perfect GPA at 3.93.
As a sophomore at Madison Academy, Holman started on the offensive line and defensive line. But he always wanted to stand up and play linebacker.
He transferred to Bob Jones last season and started right away at outside linebacker. Holman has played only defense and according to Rose it is a huge advantage for both player and team.
“He’s not a college offensive lineman or defensive lineman. He came over here so he could stand up and play linebacker. That is what he wanted to do.
“That’s the difference in 6A and 3A. You don’t always have better players but you got more good players.”
Holman proved himself last year with a knack for big plays.
Against Decatur he had a sack and forced a fumble to help preserve a 24-10 victory.
In a playoff game against Gadsden City, Bob Jones was clinging to a five point lead. Holman’s quarterback sack in the closing seconds kept the Titans out of the end zone and Bob Jones advanced.
On the season, Holman had 77 tackles, 12 for loss, and seven sacks.
