Louisville football lands it’s version of Christen Cunningam in Grad Transfer TJ Holl
Louisville football landed a huge piece for 2019 in Colgate graduate transfer TJ Holl.
Louisville football continues to steamroll in the right direction, and it doesn’t appear to be veering off course any time soon.
After bumping up their recruiting class rankings more than 40 spots on national signing day, Scott Satterfield and his newly assembled staff still weren’t done. On Tuesday, long-time Louisville lean TJ Holl became the fourth graduate transfer to pledge to the Cardinals.
Earlier this winter, we wrote about the potential of Holl becoming a Card:
"The 6’1, 230 pound inside linebacker served as the Colgate defensive captain and was one of the biggest reasons why the Raiders finished the season with one of the top defenses in the FCS ranks. Holl put together a monster season, finishing 2018 with 121 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interceptions (stats courtesy of Chris Person). The Colgate linebacker racked up the accolades during his final season playing for the Raiders, highlighted by being named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.Holl is a big, physical linebacker who literally can do just about anything on the field. While he’s not the fastest player, an area you think he may struggle in moving into the ACC, his vision, ability to get off blocks, and pursue ball carriers makes him one of the biggest names on the transfer market."
Check out his unreal highlight tape right here.
Holl becomes the 3rd graduate transfer to commit to the Cards alongside probable starter TJ McCoy, and grad transfer offensive lineman turned tight end with two years of eligibility Ean Pfeifer. The two TJ’s fill an immediate need for the Cards, and will bring much needed depth, experience, and leadership to the roster.
As linebackers go, Holl is exactly what Satterfield and staff want setting the tone on the second level. Last year, the staff mentioned that many players were forced to play out of position. In turn, they had to go out and recruit guys who could potentially come in and make an impact immediately.
Now, Louisville will add Holl along with incoming freshmen Zach Edwards and Dorian Jones as three guys who can make an impact immediately at the inside linebacker spot. They will be complimented on the outside by fellow newcomers Allen Smith and Monty Montgomery.
Holl is a guy that could make an impact for the football Cards like graduate transfer Christen Cunningham has this season for the basketball Cards. Both are graduate transfers who have only one year to play at the highest level, but have everything to prove. Both Holl and Cunningham were a bit overlooked out of high school, and spent their first three years dominating the ranks of the next tier down, and both are coming into a program that is rebuilding with brand new coach and new brand and culture.
Holl’s effect on the team may not be as profound as what is felt when Cunningham is on the court, just based on sheer numbers. However, where he may not be able to stand out on every single down, Holl can bring intensity and experience to the table and lead a young, inexperienced defense.
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He may not be a guy that is going to have 121 tackles again in 2019, but don’t underestimate how big of a pick up TJ Holl is for Louisville football. Even in just one year, graduate transfers can help speed up the process of the rebuilding of a program.