10 Samajie Grant and Malcolm Holland
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 4:26 am
Grant is a 5-9, 177, Junior receiver from Compton, CA. He has 20 starts over the past 2 years and has only missed one game. He had 47 catches for 373 yards (7.9 ypc) and 1 TD as a Freshman. Last year, Grant was 3rd on the team in receptions with 45 for 718 yards (a team leading 16.0 ypc) and 6 TDs. He was part of the kickoff return team as a Freshman and had 10 returns for a 14.8 yard average.
Grant will start at slot receiver this year and is probably set-up for an even bigger year. He can play any of the receiver positions, has a QB who wants to exploit the middle of the field, and he will given the ball with a chance to make big plays. Coach Rod likes to say he has 2 number 1 running backs, but the reality is he does have 3 number 1 receivers. Grant, Jones or Phillips could all lead the team in catches on any given game and there is not that much of a drop off to Richards and Griffey. Where Grant excels is that he is the best of the group after the catch.
I'm looking forward to more video game runs from Grant this year.
Holland is a 5-11, 180, Freshman cornerback from Hamilton HS, Chandler, AZ. He graduated from high school in 2011 and was signed with Boise State, but was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and elected to play baseball. After 4 years in the minors, Holland is returning to school and football. His senior year at Hamilton he had 66 tackles, 6 interceptions and 211 all-purpose yards. Holland is already older than most of the team and understands what it takes to excel at the highest level. I would not be surprised to see him get a chance to play on special teams, but he is probably not going to be on the 2 deep at cornerback when it is released.
10 is the number of Wildcats who have been drafted in the first round. Here they are:
1939 (10th) Walter Ring Nielsen, running back, New York Giants
1968 (26th) Bill Lueck, guard, Green Bay Packers
1976 (16th) Mike Dawson, defensive tackle, St. Louis Cardinals
1984 (7th) Ricky Hunley, linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals
1990 (8th) Chris Singleton, linebacker, New England Patriots
1990 (11th) Anthony Smith, defensive tackle, Oakland Raiders
1991 (27th) John Fina, off ensive tackle, Buff alo Bills
1999 (10th) Chris McAlister, cornerback, Baltimore Ravens
2000 (31st) Trung Canidate, tailback, St. Louis Rams
2008 (27th) Antoine Cason, cornerback, San Diego Chargers