Dominating Texas JUCO OL Denzel Holder Prepping for D-I Bounce Back
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If a big menu filled with lots of great options, entrees, side dishes, appetizers, dessert, and all the fixin’s is your kind of thing, you will love Denzel Holder. Experienced versatility along the trenches is hard to come by in the college game, but Holder (6-5, 340) has it all ready to order. After a redshirt 2022 season at North Alabama, Holder has learned the game and put in the hours in the weight room at Tennessee State and Kilgore College to make an impact this fall.
Closing out his last class at Kilgore to complete his AA, with three to play three, Holder is back on the recruiting scene looking for the next place to dominate.
Left tackle and guard, right tackle and guard, Holder has the strength, technique, footwork, and athleticism to be that starter this fall.
“I’ve been working on my technique,” Holder said. “I play all four except center; I work on everything and on both sides. I’ve been working on my punches and my sets especially; that helps me not give up any sacks going against a 1, 3, or a wide 5.
“I’ve been working on my balance also and staying low. I believe in having a great bend. I’ve been working on my cardio. I get in 2.5 miles running or doing sprints to stay in shape. I go to a local gym four to five days a week.
“I work on my footwork. I do a lot of footwork drills. Hand placement is really important. I use a chute for coming out of my stance, it is short, so I stay low.”
Reporting 465 on bench, 505 on squat, and a 295-pound power clean, Holder spoke about his weightroom workouts.
“I do pushups all the time, power clean, and bench press,” Holder stated. “I do heavy sets, 10 reps with a lot of weight.”
Asked who he is watching to learn more about the game, Holder replied, “I like guys that play like me. I am very explosive guy, and a mauler. I watch people in the NFL like the right guard for the Eagles, Kenyon Green, Laremy Tunsil, and Penei Sewell. I am a run-game guy, and I can protect; I watch guys that do both well.
“I watch coaches who talk about coaching points. I am big on that. Sewell is one of my favorites, Tunsil, and Trent Williams from the 49ers; I watch the greats. I like the guys that do it at a high level.”
Holder has a personal mentor helping him achieve his goals.
“McClendon Curtis, he played for the Cardinals, he is a mentor,” Holder shared. “We do the same things on the field, how we finish guys. He played at Chattanooga (2017-22). His game is like mine from mauling to going through the whistle. I talk to him on a mentorship level.”
With his last class winding down, recruiting is picking up for Holder.
“A lot of schools are showing interest: North Texas just reached out and asked my graduation in May, Alabama A&M, Mississippi Valley State, they had offered me, Norfolk, their old staff had offered me, Delaware State, Commerce, Houston Christian, Texas Southern, Morgan State, UTSA, Gardner-Webb, Florida International, and Braynt,” Holder said.
“They have been talking about setting up visits.”
Asked what he’s looking for in that next collegiate opportunity, Holder shared, “To be an asset. I am big on using my ability to help; I want to help change the program. I’ve helped change programs.
“At Tennessee State, I helped guys get better by working with them, so we are all on the same page. I want to let coaches know that I am the type of guy you want on and off the field. You want a dog on the field and in the classroom; I’ve been on the Dean’s list, I am never late, and I take the initiative.
“I want to be a big asset. I am a plug in type of guy anywhere in those four positions, and I play it at a high level. Run block and pass pro, I can do it with the best of them.”
Photo credit: Holder family – Denzel Holder
*Click the link for the previous RNG interview with Denzel Holder