The nature of 7 on 7 competitions obviously caters to defensive backs and wide receivers, not so much 6’2” 230 lb outside linebackers. That didn’t stop class of 2015 LB Jeffrey Holland (Jacksonville Fla.) from making an impact however.
I questioned how effective Holland would be given the format of the competition; my skepticism was quickly rendered moot. Holland wasn’t a deep threat but he dominated at times on short crossing routes simply because of his raw physicality. With ease he shed smaller defensive backs who attempted to reach around him and swat the ball out of his hands or jam him at the line of scrimmage. He’s a really big, really strong prospect.
On June 18th, Holland paid a visit to Florida.
“I got to talk with coach Muschamp, we talked about the future. He said he liked me at WILL linebacker,” Holland said. “I had a good time on campus, the trainers there are cool, I like the campus, it’s down the street from home.”
Defensive coordinator D.J Durkin is recruiting Holland primarily. Holland raves about the defensive scheme UF employs.
“I love it, it’s created for me…I can get to the quarterback, I can drop back in coverage,” Holland said.
While Holland was impressed with Florida, he sported Auburn gloves during the Saturday session of games and has a family tie to the plains.
“My uncle played basketball there back in the day with Charles Barkley and Chuck Person, he likes it there and kind of wants me to go there,” Holland said.
Carrey Holland played one season with Barkley before the round mound of rebound went to the NBA, the elder Holland averaged just 2.2 points and 2.3 rebounds a game as a center.
The younger Holland has no timetable for setting a top-10 or a top-5 however, he says he just plans to just ride the process out.