Defensive tackle Thomas Holley (6-4, 299, Brooklyn, NY Abraham Lincoln) flipped his commitment from Penn State to Florida a week ago and for the first time went on record with why he chose Florida.
“The decision for me to make the switch was an easy one,” Holley said. “It was going to be difficult for me to build a relationship with all new coaches in two weeks and it really came down to the wire between Penn State and Florida when I committed. There was no hesitation at all for me when I decided to make the switch.”
When Holley called Will Muschamp to tell him he made the flip, Muschamp thought it was a prank from the New York star.
“At first Coach Muschamp thought I was playing a joke on him,” Holley said. “He said Thomas don’t push my button like that and I said, ‘No coach I’m committed to the University of Florida.’ He told the whole coaching staff and everyone seemed real happy about me going there.”
For months now, Holley was recruited to Florida by defensive tackle commitment Khairi Clark. Now that he’s a Gator Holley sees great things ahead for the two of them and for the Gators.
“I haven’t had the chance to talk to Khairi yet with basketball and school going on,” Holley said. “But I’m pretty sure he’s happy because he’s been recruiting me hard and texting me even after I committed to Penn State. I think it’s going to be great for the Gators to have both of us. I think it’s going to be a great year for Florida with this class coming in. You have me, Khairi Clark, Gerald Willis, and Jalen Tabor switch schools so I see a lot of good players in the class.”
Holley has gone from recruited to recruiter. Now that he’s firmly in the Florida fold, Holley has his sights set on recruiting another defensive lineman to join him and Clark in Gainesville.
“Hopefully we can get Lorenzo Carter to join the team,” Holley said. “I need to get him in this class and we have a good relationship because of combines and just spending so much time together last summer and he’s a really good guy. I’ve been texting Lorenzo and trying to find out where he’s going and right now he said he doesn’t know but I’m going to keep working him and trying to convince him to join me at Florida.”
Holley has a solid verbal commitment to the Gators and he wanted to leave a message to all of Florida’s fans.
“Stay tuned because I plan to do a lot of big things at Florida and win championships,” Holley said.
Every time I read something this kid says, I come away more impressed. He seems so mature.