The 2015 season was a stepping stone for Jordan Brown and T.J. Holl.

But it also left the Seneca Valley High School graduates wanting more.

Brown and Holl, both former star quarterbacks for the Raiders, recently wrapped up gridiron campaigns at James Madison University and Colgate University, respectively.

Brown, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound redshirt sophomore, spent the 2014 season playing on special teams and lining up at safety in several games for the Dukes. While in training last winter, he was moved to a starting cornerback spot in JMU's 3-4 defense.

“It's a pretty big transition, moving from safety to cornerback,” said Brown. “At corner, you are guarding somebody on every play. But it's the technique between the two positions that is the biggest difference.

“Early this season, I was targeted a lot by offenses,” he added. “Teams weren't sure what I could do. I thought I had good hands, but had three or four drops (interceptions), but I ended up playing well.”

Brown met the challenge with 65 tackles, nine passes defensed and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns, for a Dukes team that reached the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) playoffs.

JMU defeated Division I-A's Southern Methodist 48-45 in September, with Brown contributing nine tackles and two behind the line of scrimmage. He was named Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week in late November after making six tackles and returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a win over Villanova.

Brown's efforts helped the Dukes tie William & Mary and Richmond for the conference crown, but he has already started to think about what 2016 may hold.

“I want to be more of a dominant presence on the field,” he said. “I'm an athletic guy and I want to make plays, but I just focus on playing and reacting. If I do that, the big plays will come.”

Brown's other defensive score came in a second-round playoff game against Colgate when a familiar face was wearing opposing colors. Holl, a true freshman, played special teams for Colgate and the Raiders advanced with a 44-38 win.

“We got to be good friends in high school and we texted this season to see how each other was doing,” said Brown. “After the game, we hooked up on the field and talked for a while.”

Holl was recruited by Colgate to play quarterback, but took a quicker route to seeing the field.

“Entering our third game, I was talking with the coaches and they told me I'd be more beneficial to the team on defense,” Holl said.

“The very next day, I was at inside linebacker in practice.”

Holl recorded 10 tackles on special teams as Colgate won the Patriot League title and reached the NCAA quarterfinals before falling to Sam Houston State.

“A lot of my buddies at Colgate didn't get the opportunity to be on the field this year,” he said. “It was awesome to get playing time, run down the field and knock heads with somebody. I did everything I could to make an impact.”

Holl will soon return to upstate New York and the Raiders' football program.

“Right now, I am (6-foot-1, 195) and I need to put on some weight,” he said. “The coaches would like me to get to 215-220 and they said I have a good chance of starting at inside linebacker my sophomore year.

“We want to make next year as good as it can be.”