Jaquel Holman 

 

• Introduction:  The 6’1.5", 197-pound athlete out of Blackville, SC, made waves last month at the Shrine Bowl, leading all players with nine tackles and shining as a linebacker throughout the week of practice. On3 is the highest service on him ranking him as a 4 star linebacker coming in at no. 246 in the country. “Holman looks like an exciting prospect, and I think has a lot of signs of being kind of an under-the-radar in-state gem in the state of South Carolina,” On3’s Charles Powers. His recruitment took off after a breakout junior year, both in football and on the track. In his first season running track, Hollman refined his running style and dominated at the 1A level, winning state championships in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and as part of the 4×100 relay team. His speed translated seamlessly to the football field, where he posted staggering numbers: 76 total tackles (nine for loss), three forced fumbles, and an eye popping 1,610 rushing yards on just 153 carries averaging 10.5 yards per attempt while scoring 26 touchdowns. While Most schools recruited him as a defender and Pitt was the only program to offer him as a running back. But Shane Beamer hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Holman getting some carries during his time in Columbia. He enrolled early at South Carolina this month, allowing him to get started early on a weight program to add size.  Athleticism runs deep in his blood. His grandfather, the former mayor of Blackville, was also a standout running back at the same high school. Off the field, Holman is just as impressive. His high school coach, Coach Jones speaks highly of Holman’s character, describing him as a leader and a dedicated student athlete.

 

• Recruitment: Life comes at you fast. Holman didn’t receive his first D-1 offer until April from Old Dominion and was barely ranked inside the top 700 players according to industry rankings. Just two months later, he’s a top 250 player and lands an offer from his dream school. The offer came after he attended a Gamecocks 7-on-7 camp this summer, where the coaches were able to verify everything they saw on tape, even testing him at slot receiver. A position he hardly played, and he was against high level competition and nobody could cover him.  Holman then took an unofficial visit to campus the following Saturday, where he committed on the spot. He perfectly embodies the quintessential small-town Palmetto State athlete, ticking all the boxes athletically. Players like him often take a bit longer to catch the attention of recruiters. A key factor in his recruitment was the coaching staff’s stability, knowing the same coaches would be guiding him for the next 3-4 years. Safe to say, the Gamecocks checked that box, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Holman truly connected with the coaching staff during his first unofficial visit. "The coaching staff—man, I love them. Shane Beamer is an outstanding coach, and I have a strong bond with coach White. We can talk about anything, not just football, what I want to do in college, how my family is doing. When I visited yesterday, I knew right away this was the place for me."

 

• Strength and Skills: Holman’s athleticism and versatility make him a highly intriguing prospect for South Carolina. His ability to play multiple positions gives the Gamecocks flexibility as they develop him into a well-rounded player. With natural speed, tackling ability, and coverage potential, Holman could become a key contributor to the defense, with a high ceiling both in the short and long term. His coach sang very high praise “I’ve coached a while, coached a lot of really good players. He’s overall probably the most talented kid I’ve ever coached.”His athletic profile is impressive, highlighted by a 4.49 40-yard dash and a 4.28 shuttle time, which give him an edge in coverage and as a sideline-to-sideline defender. His track speed, showcased through his 100-meter and 200-meter dash state championships, translates to excellent range in the open field. He can cover ground quickly and react to plays as they develop. A tone-setter at the second level of defense, Holman uses his strength and speed to deliver impactful hits. His ability to wrap up and bring down larger opponents speaks to his strength and tackling technique, though shedding blockers and working through traffic will be crucial as he transitions to college ball. His agility and speed allow him to excel in both man and zone coverage. Despite limited coverage experience in high school due to his role (they blitzed him a lot off the edge), his coach has noted Holman’s potential to learn quickly and transition to covering in space. Known as a leader in the locker room and a consistent worker in the weight room, Holman brings a positive attitude and has the type of character of somebody you want in your program. “He never misses a workout. He is the team leader in everything that we do. He’s supportive of the other players.” His ceiling is probably the highest as a second level defender in an aggressive defensive scheme, potentially serving as a hybrid linebacker/safety (center fielder).