An Inside Look Of Rams UDFA: RB/WR Nick Holley

Ed “Pi Double i” Henderson

WorldWide Rams 

This past weekend, Los Angeles Rams held tryouts at their rookie minicamp at Cal-State Lutheran University. The Rams signed six UDFA's (undrafted free agents), to comprise their 90-man roster, and besides, they released third-year linebacker, Carlos Thompson.

Amongst the players trying out, were the Holley twins, Nick and Nate Holley, who played at Kent State University. Nate Holley, who played safety, had some legal issues, where he once charged with kidnapping. He was able to put that issue behind him and became one of the nations best safeties. However, Nate didn't win out a spot for to the Roster.

However, his twin Nick Holley, the fifth-year senior quarterback/running back/receiver did. The very talented Nick, played several positions while at Kent St, settling down at quarterback his last two season.  

He played as a receiver his freshman year but switched to running back in spring practices of 2014, where he played the season at both the running back and quarterback positions. Holley also was used as a punt returner too that season. 

Holley suffered broken back that ended his 2015 season just three games into the season. The NCAA granted him a medical hardship, giving him an extra year of eligibility.

The 2016 season, Holley was named MAC Player of the Week after scorching through University of Buffalo's defense. A defense that anchored all-American linebacker Khalil Hodge, he had 24 carries for 234 yards and rushed for four touchdowns.  He had a run of 67 yards against Buffalo at running back which confused the Buffalo's defense. Holley led the team with 920 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns and completed 72 passes for 868 yards and four touchdowns that 2016 season.

His red-shirt senior season ended precisely like his sophomore year, season-ending injury with a torn ACL. Holley was able to bounce back after his missed season in 2015, however, had three career season-ending injuries. 

Holley is a solid athlete who’ll more than likely convert to a running back or receiver at the next level but who truly needs to polish up his game. He has to ability to make a defender miss, hurdles over players, and have deceptive speed. 

Compared to former Kent State Golden Flash quarterback and current New England Patriots receiver, Julian Edelman, the two are very familiar in size. Many have called Holley the 2.0 version of Edelman with the 4.40 speed, and shiftiness on the field.

Holley was the first Golden Flash player since 1973 to win back- to- back MAC Offensive Player of the Week. While it wasn’t a historic season, Holley certainly did enough to concrete himself in the history books of Kent State. 

Providing that Holley can remain healthy during the pre-season, he will be a project that will develop into a good NFL receiver. There is an upside to him because of his versatility, and with hard work, he can crack the Rams 53-man roster. 

Head Coach Sean McVay, have found a solid gem and has continued to see the talent that fits great into the Rams offense. A natural weapon that teams have slept on, but Jared Goff can use a little-plugged receiver such as Holley, as Tom Brady have in Edelman. Many expected that Tavon Austin could have been a good weapon, but never had the chance and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2018 NFL Draft.


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