NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Nathan Holley, FS, Kent State University

NFL Draft Diamonds has been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet the prospect!!!!

What is your name?

Nathan Holley

What is your Height/Weight?

5’11 3/4″  211 lbs.

What is your position?

Free Safety

Where do you play college football?

Kent State University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

One thing I have done off the field that I thought was really cool and enjoyable was orchestrate an event with the special-needs class at my high school where we had them escort us out during a pep rally. They announced the starter’s name and then the special needs kids name right after. Just to see the joy on the kids faces when we walked out was amazing. It really makes you appreciate how lucky you are to be able to play the sport that you love when others aren’t as fortunate.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

The hardest college class I had to take was statistics for the exercise scientist.

Where are you from?

Ottawa Lake, Michigan

Who is your role model, and why?

My parents have always been my role models. They have been the most influential people in my life. And they are who I learn and grow from.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Sports growing up: Motorcross, soccer, baseball, basketball, track and field, pond hockey

Did you play any other positions in football?

Positions in football: running back, linebacker, wide receiver, safety, punter and all special teams

At your position, what separates you from others?

My willingness to hunt and to fly to around. Also my ability to tackle

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

When I am breaking down film, I like to look for players’ tendencies. What type of runner they are with the ball in their hands, what type of blocker they are, what type of routes they run, where they break their routes off at, if they are a shake guy or a speed guy, if my opponents are competitors or not, if the quarterback is a one-look guy or is he going to scan the field, what the offensive lineman do in each run and pass set

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

The toughest player I’ve ever faced happens to be on the same team as me now. He is my twin brother, Nick Holley

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

I don’t really compare myself to anyone in the NFL as of right now.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I listen to the same songs on an MP3 player every week. I like to get out on the field early and warm-up/stretch myself before the team stretch. And I have a few drills that I like to do to help get me ready to go. Then I usually play catch with my twin brother

As a small school football player what obstacles do you feel you have to overcome?

The obstacles that I have to overcome as a small school football player are simply showing that I belong with the best talent across the country. And with given the chance, I am able to excel against the “best” as well. Which I believe I have done just that throughout my years at Kent State

What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is the fact that I am a competitor and that I desire to have an impact in all facets of the game

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I would say that I would be a great asset to have on your team. Not only am I a competitor, but my desire to win and to learn and to grow and to perfect my craft is like no other. I love this game and I intend to give it my all for as long as I am playing it!

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

I grew up a Patriot fan, but was never a die hard fan of anyone. My new favorite team will be the one that I am playing on!

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

If I could have dinner with three people dead or alive, I would choose my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother (yes, I realize that was four, but I couldn’t split up my family)

With your first NFL paycheck what would you buy?

I would put most of my money away or invest most of it, and I would help my Dad retire