Rams Sign DB Nate Holley

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TSFH Fan

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Not quite Roy Hobbs of The Natural, but you never know:


View: https://twitter.com/JordanStrack/status/1004906160166719488


View: https://twitter.com/DraftDiamonds/status/1004919969468043264


NFL Draft 2017: Nate Holley's legal woes are behind him, but is it too late for Kent State DB?
Updated Apr 19, 2017; Posted Apr 18, 2017
https://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2017/04/nfl_draft_2017_nate_holleys_le.html

By Elton Alexander, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kent State's Nate Holley is free and clear to play football in the NFL. But is it too late to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft?

Holley hopes not.

"I want teams to know, I'm done. I'm innocent. I'm free, I'm training and ready for the draft and for a camp,'' he said. "This is something I've grown from, and learned from. This has opened my eyes to life."

Holley spent the last five months working through the legal system to prove his innocence following his November 3, 2016 arrest for two alleged felonies.

Holley is now making calls and writing letters to let the NFL and individual teams know he is cleared to play professional football.

"Nobody really knows it's done and over,'' his agent, Ashanti Webb said Tuesday. "Nobody has written a word, except his school paper."

Athletes getting wrapped up in the legal system for domestic abuse has sadly become an all too familiar theme in college sports. The Kent State senior safety was arrested on felony kidnapping and felonious assault charges made by a former girlfriend.

Holley was immediately suspended from the team. After his arrest, Holley was released to a chemical dependency treatment facility, which raised another red flag.

He missed the final four games of the season when he would have been featured several times on national television as one of the leading tacklers in the nation. He was tracking to be one of KSU's all-time great defensive players.

At that time he was already projected as one of the top safeties in the nation for the NFL Draft, and a likely selection in one of the early rounds.

"He was a top 10 safety going into the season, and he was having a great year,'' Webb said. "He was a mid-round pick at that point with the all-star games and the NFL Combine ahead to improve on that."

But once arrested, Holley's NFL Draft chances faded. No postseason all-star game invitation to the Senior Bowl or East West Shrine game. No NFL Combine opportunity to meet individually with teams and show off his physical skills.

Players with questionable character credentials are not invited to that NFL sponsored event.

Instead, Holley spent the next five months in the legal system before finally clearing his name.

First, there has never has been a chemical dependency issue with Holley, according to his attorney, Jim Eskridge.

"As part of the original condition for his bond, Nathan needed to have a tracking device," Eskridge said. "Interestingly enough, this facility is the only place that has a contract with the Portage County Jail for that GPS bracelet. That is why he was released there.

"Nathan doesn't even drink. Nothing. The only thing on his record before any of this was a traffic ticket. Now this thing. And right now, this pock mark, it has just ruined him. Not right at all. But Nathan is looking forward to the next chapter in his life."

On February 9, 2017, following a two-day trial, a jury found Holley not guilty on the kidnapping and assault charges.

However, Holley had another legal hurdle to clear. Five days before the first trial, he was charged with intimidation and menacing by stalking by the same woman.

While the resulting not guilty verdict was a clear victory, it did not erase the latest charges from the books.

With the draft just days away, Holley relented to plead guilty to criminal mischief, which resulted in a $1,000 fine and 180-day jail sentence. That sentence was suspended on the basis Holley doesn't commit a crime for the next two years, or have contact with the alleged victim.

"I'm very happy with what I did and what I didn't do,'' Holley said. "I did what I had to do in the end to get on with my future. With that (second trial) lingering I would not be able to be a NFL player."

Holley did get a chance to show some of his skills during Kent State's pro day in March before scouts from 10 different NFL teams. He signed in at 6-0, 209 pounds and ran a 4.58 40.

Holley said he has already had contact with five teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets.

Only time will tell if there was enough time for Holley to actually get drafted. Or if in the end, it was too late.


-------------------------------

Nate Holley found not guilty of felony kidnapping and assault
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/2/9...d-not-guilty-of-felony-kidnapping-and-assault
Holley was suspended indefinitely from Kent State’s football team following charges filed Nov. 2016.
By James H. Jimenez@AVKingJames Feb 9, 2017, 1:08pm EST
BV4D9737E.0.0.jpg

Scott Warren / Bald Monkey Photo

As reported by Jordan Strack of WTOL-TV and other local media outlets, former Kent State defensive back Nate Holley has been found not guilty on all charges stemming from a Nov. 2016 case.


View: https://twitter.com/JordanStrack/status/829744244919263232


Holley was arrested and charged with felony kidnapping in Nov. 2016 in Franklin Township near Ravenna, Ohio and was immediately suspended indefinitely from football activities. The news fell just days before a nationally-televised game vs. then-undefeated Western Michigan.

Per reports from the Record-Courier, Holley pleaded not guilty Nov. 16 to felony kidnapping and felonious assault. A second felony charge, this time felonious assault, was tacked on Dec. 2016.

The trial began Jan. 24 and the verdict was delivered Thursday afternoon.

Holley was alleged to have held his then-girlfriend against her will by “taking her on a car ride” and then assaulting the woman when she tried to leave the vehicle, according to reports.

There is no word on what will happen next for Holley, whose football career was cut short due to the allegations. Holley, a product of nearby Whitmer High School, was one of Kent State’s defensive leaders and was projected to play at the professional level prior to his arrest.

Kent State Athletics has not released a statement on the matter as of publication.

---------------------------

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7GQB5TG8Cs
 

PhillyRam

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Looked pretty good on 1 on 1 tackling vs Barkley.
 

Picked4td

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its a shame what false allegations can do to a person's life. might have cost him millions and a shot at fulfilling a lifelong dream. best of luck to him
 

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Screw you Seahawks! We also got twins!
 

den-the-coach

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NFL Draft 2017: Nate Holley's legal woes are behind him, but is it too late for Kent State DB?

-11c38d808286a692.JPG


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kent State's Nate Holley is free and clear to play football in the NFL. But is it too late to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft?

Holley hopes not.

"I want teams to know, I'm done. I'm innocent. I'm free, I'm training and ready for the draft and for a camp,'' he said. "This is something I've grown from, and learned from. This has opened my eyes to life."

Holley spent the last five months working through the legal system to prove his innocence following his November 3, 2016 arrest for two alleged felonies.

Holley is now making calls and writing letters to let the NFL and individual teams know he is cleared to play professional football.

"Nobody really knows it's done and over,'' his agent, Ashanti Webb said Tuesday. "Nobody has written a word, except his school paper."

Athletes getting wrapped up in the legal system for domestic abuse has sadly become an all too familiar theme in college sports. The Kent State senior safety was arrested on felony kidnapping and felonious assault charges made by a former girlfriend.

Holley was immediately suspended from the team. After his arrest, Holley was released to a chemical dependency treatment facility, which raised another red flag.

He missed the final four games of the season when he would have been featured several times on national television as one of the leading tacklers in the nation. He was tracking to be one of KSU's all-time great defensive players.

At that time he was already projected as one of the top safeties in the nation for the NFL Draft, and a likely selection in one of the early rounds.

"He was a top 10 safety going into the season, and he was having a great year,'' Webb said. "He was a mid-round pick at that point with the all-star games and the NFL Combine ahead to improve on that."

But once arrested, Holley's NFL Draft chances faded. No postseason all-star game invitation to the Senior Bowl or East West Shrine game. No NFL Combine opportunity to meet individually with teams and show off his physical skills.

Players with questionable character credentials are not invited to that NFL sponsored event.

Instead, Holley spent the next five months in the legal system before finally clearing his name.

First, there has never has been a chemical dependency issue with Holley, according to his attorney, Jim Eskridge.

"As part of the original condition for his bond, Nathan needed to have a tracking device," Eskridge said. "Interestingly enough, this facility is the only place that has a contract with the Portage County Jail for that GPS bracelet. That is why he was released there.

"Nathan doesn't even drink. Nothing. The only thing on his record before any of this was a traffic ticket. Now this thing. And right now, this pock mark, it has just ruined him. Not right at all. But Nathan is looking forward to the next chapter in his life."

On February 9, 2017, following a two-day trial, a jury found Holley not guilty on the kidnapping and assault charges.

However, Holley had another legal hurdle to clear. Five days before the first trial, he was charged with intimidation and menacing by stalking by the same woman.

While the resulting not guilty verdict was a clear victory, it did not erase the latest charges from the books.

With the draft just days away, Holley relented to plead guilty to criminal mischief, which resulted in a $1,000 fine and 180-day jail sentence. That sentence was suspended on the basis Holley doesn't commit a crime for the next two years, or have contact with the alleged victim.

"I'm very happy with what I did and what I didn't do,'' Holley said. "I did what I had to do in the end to get on with my future. With that (second trial) lingering I would not be able to be a NFL player."

Holley did get a chance to show some of his skills during Kent State's pro day in March before scouts from 10 different NFL teams. He signed in at 6-0, 209 pounds and ran a 4.58 40.

Holley said he has already had contact with five teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets.

Only time will tell if there was enough time for Holley to actually get drafted. Or if in the end, it was too late.

https://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2017/04/nfl_draft_2017_nate_holleys_le.html
 

Psycho_X

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Interesting, his unfortunate problems the last couple of years may be our gain. While our secondary is mostly deep and stud worthy we could use some competition at the safety depth level. And with his tackling skills he could be a special teams stand out.
 

Ramhusker

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Where has he been? This talks of last year's draft. Did he get into anyone's camp last year?
 

RamFan503

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Good looking work on the video. He looks to have great instincts for where the ball is going to go and is a block shedding/tackling machine. I too wonder where he spent the last year as they talk about the 2017 draft.

Tape is tape though and he definitely has an uphill climb to make THIS secondary.
 

dang

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Holy Holley Hell! What does anyone know about the Holley twins - Nick and Nate? The more I read on Nate (DB) - the more I am thinking the Rams may have struck some Safety gold.
 

TSFH Fan

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
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Where has he been?
I too wonder where he spent the last year



He was a 2017 Vikings camp invite then ended up in The Spring League
Three seniors from Kent State's 2016 roster received invites to participate in NFL rookie minicamps this month. Safety Nate Holley (Toledo, Ohio), cornerback Najee Murray (Steubenville, Ohio) and defensive end Terence Waugh (Atlanta, Ga.) each received interest from multiple teams.

Holley chose the Minnesota Vikings, whose camp began Friday and runs through Sunday. He led the nation in solo tackles per game in 2016 and ranked second in total tackles. Holley was an All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection in 2014 and 2015 and earned a spot on the Bednarik Award Watch List.
http://www.kentstatesports.com/news...peting-for-spots-at-nfl-rookie-minicamps.aspx

http://www.thespringleague.com/

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6xvhnmYZL0
 

jrry32

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I remember watching Holley before everything blew up. He's a good football player. I wouldn't be surprised if he sticks due to his special teams value. Could replace Cody Davis. His younger brother was a QB and is very athletic. I'm guessing he transitions to WR. He (the brother) had a lot of injury issues in college, though.
 

Ram65

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Googled his height and weight. Comes in at 187 Lbs and 5'11". He sure hits bigger than that. He could be up to 192 or so but, you never know unless you get the combine numbers at that time what he really is. He looked good shedding blocks, staying in his gaps then moving to make the tackle. He has shot.
 

AvengerRam

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Cool that we have both brothers. A Holley should have a buddy.

Sorry... couldn’t resist.
 

RamFan503

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Googled his height and weight. Comes in at 187 Lbs and 5'11". He sure hits bigger than that. He could be up to 192 or so but, you never know unless you get the combine numbers at that time what he really is. He looked good shedding blocks, staying in his gaps then moving to make the tackle. He has shot.
Well he apparently added a few pounds and grew another inch. He sure seems to play bigger than he is but it’s hard to really say without being able to compare him with better film against NFL caliber players. Still - think about Joyner’s size and how he plays. That guy puts heads on swivels.
 

DR RAM

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In related news, he has more legal woes coming up. Apparently, when his ex GF asked if she looked fat in a new outfit, he said yes. He could face 12 to 25 years for telling the truth.