Trinity Christian Academy has many football prospects that will suit up this fall, and we caught up with one recently to ask him a few questions. Jeff Holland is one of the top linebackers in the entire country and has a long list of offers to prove it. Now, the only thing left to do is narrow that list down.
“I looked at everywhere I visited and looked at the good and bad about them and compared them. I still have time to do research”, Holland said.
Holland plays on both sides of the ball at Trinity and knows it helps him be more competitive. “It really just helps me as an athlete to know I like competing, and part of being a competitive athlete is you have to be great.”
He is a physical linebacker, standing 6’3″ and 230 pounds and says he has the “mind set that Ray Lewis has”. He also bases his game off of a former linebacker great, Lawrence Taylor.
There are a few schools that have been coming after Holland the hardest. “Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Bama, Ohio State, UCLA, and Texas.”
Holland is a Jacksonville, Florida native and noted that he likes the home state Gators because its “really close to home.” Location isn’t going to be the deciding factor though; when asked about it Holland stated that location doesn’t really play a big role in his decision.
He has also heard from the other in-state power house, and a couple of things stand out to him about the Seminoles, like their “coaching staff and Coach Odell.”
Urban Meyer, former Florida Gator head coach, hasn’t been shy about getting Florida prospects to Ohio State, and apparently the Buckeyes have the same message for Holland.
“I could come and play right away because they need Florida players and they’re losing their d (defense)”, he said about the things he hears from Ohio State.
The transition to college football should be easier for Holland because he is already playing with many Division I prospects now, including Kevin Toliver, Victor Alexander, and Andre Smith.
“Man I really enjoy playing with them, they’re like my brothers. We all understand what has to be done and playing with them, I know they won’t let me down. It helps me prepare for the next level because I will already know how it feels to play with a team full of great players.”