Following a record setting redshirt sophomore season, Louisville Cardinals safety Gerod Holliman has reportedly declared himself eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft, forgoing his final two seasons of eligibility with the Cardinals. Holliman intercepted an incredible 14 passes during the 2014 season, tying a 46-year-old record, held by former Washington Huskies’ great, Al Worley. In the process, he earned the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back, as well as First Team All-American honors. Holliman hopes to use this momentum and catapult his draft stock into the upper echelon of the first round.
Although Holliman lacks ideal size at just 6 foot 213 pounds, many scouts view Holliman as the top safety to enter the draft, and project him to be a mid to late first round pick. Still, there are others that say he will not be able to tackle at an NFL level, and will struggle to make the adjustment. One NFL scout said, “”he can’t make a tackle to save his life. He’s got pretty good instincts, but he’s not that athletic.”
If Holliman’s tackling continues to be a problem for NFL teams, his combine workouts will become extremely important to his draft status, and could make or break his value. Nonetheless, Holliman possesses excellent ball skills and has shown great improvement since his redshirt freshman campaign. Also, scouts have said that this draft class may lack elite safeties and teams could overvalue a guy like Holliman. At a quick glance, teams like the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears could be likely destinations for Holliman.
Holliman will attempt to break the previously mentioned interception record when the Cardinals square off against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Belk Bowl, December 30.
*Section Photo credit to Robert Mayer, USA Today Sports; Featured Photo (above) credit to David Butler II, USA Today Sports.
