Rutgers recruiting: 5-star DT, Thomas Holley, still has Rutgers on his radar
Rutgers class of 2014 Rutgers DT offeree, Thomas Holley, at the Opening (Photo provided by 247Sports.com)
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By Todderick Hunt, NJ.com
July 30, 2013
Thomas Holley is one of the top interior defensive players in the entire country. The 6-4, 300-pounder from Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.), recently added a fifth star via 247Sports.com to his resume after showing out at the Opening ? an invite-only nationally televised combine event held at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. NJ.com caught up with Holley, Monday night, as he was playing the latest version of NCAA Football by EASports. Holley discussed the Opening experience, some of his top schools and where Rutgers fits into it all.
"I had a real good showing at the Opening, I'm proud of that," said Holley, who holds offers, nationally. "I definitely was one of the more consistent defensive players out there. I was working hard, doing my thing, making it hard for the offensive guys to stop me."
He did indeed. Holley was a terror during the 1-on-1 portion of the combine, and ran a 5.1-second 40-yard dash and 4.7-second shuttle at 300 pounds. He also logged a 42-5 in the power toss and displayed a 28-inch vertical leap. So, it's obvious why just about every top program in the country is coveting his services. But the Scarlet Knights just so happen to be one of a few teams that stands out to the elite defender.
"I still talk to coach Panagos when I can," said Holley. "He tells me how everything would be if I was to go to Rutgers. I might visit this summer. It depends on how everything goes because with football, I have a real busy schedule. But I'll try to get something in."
Holley has already set foot on the Rutgers campus on two occasions. And besides the Opening, the most recent unofficial visits he's taken have been to Notre Dame and Ohio State, a couple months back. Holley hopes to make his decision before the beginning of the 2013 high school season, although nothing is set in stone.
"I'm gonna try to do it before but if I need more time, then I'll just take as much time as I need," he said. "I'm in no rush."
Holley tells NJ.com that he hasn't officially released a top five list of schools yet. But there are a handful of schools that come to mind as potential collegiate destinations based upon his listing of the "the pros and cons" when comparing institutions. Those schools are Rutgers, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida and Penn State, in no particular order.
Holley broke down the pros of a few schools he's considering:
Ohio State: "Just their need for lineman and, at the same time, their alumni base; how big it is and how they take care of their players. It's one thing to have your players graduate, move on and be successful. But to have them come back and give to the school on a regular basis, that says a lot."
cont...
Those Rutgers recruiting gurus sure are sharp!
