Holl

HAMILTON, N.Y. — With one year of eligibility left, T.J. Holl wants a new challenge.

With that in mind, the 2015 Seneca Valley graduate and current senior at Colgate University announced last week that he intends to play football at the University of Louisville as a graduate transfer next season.

Colgate is a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) program.

“I've always had confidence in myself when it comes to football,” said Holl, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound inside linebacker. “It's been a dream of mine to play against the best at the highest level and I will now have the opportunity to do that.”

Holl's fifth year on the collegiate gridiron was granted after he sustained leg and ankle injuries four games into Colgate's 2017 season, his first as a starter. He missed the rest of the season, but was given a medical redshirt.

He came back with a vengeance last season. As a team captain, Holl led Colgate with 121 tackles, including 17 for a loss. The effort spearheaded an absolute dominant 3-4 defense as the Raiders allowed just 57 points in 10 regular season games, including five shutouts.

“We had a lot of guys with the same mentality, guys who swarm to the ball and are great tacklers,” said Holl. “We had a great staff that put together a great scheme every week particular to our opponent.

“There were some bumps and bruises, but I was healthy the whole season. It felt good to go out there and be able to contribute to the team every week.”

Colgate's season ended with a loss to top-ranked and eventual national champion North Dakota State in the NCAA quarterfinals in December. Shortly after, Holl told the team of his intentions to play elsewhere in 2019.

“We had a great year and I didn't want there to be any kind of distraction,” said Holl, who will graduate from Colgate in May with a degree in educational studies. “That's why I waited until our season was over to let the team know of my decision.”

Fifteen programs showed interest in Holl, including Pittsburgh, Illinois, Colorado State, Syracuse, Wake Forest and Mississippi. But it was Louisville, which competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, that provided the perfect situation to walk into.

“They have a brand new staff and offered me right after they took over in December,” said Holl. “That showed me they really wanted me.

“They're moving to a 3-4 defense and need guys who know how to play in it. I'm really excited about the challenge and believe I'm ready for it.”