Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Lance Holder, CB, Valdosta State

Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Lance Holder, CB, Valdosta State 

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Over 20 D1 schools. I was a two-star corner on rivals.com.

Where did you choose and why?

I chose Valdosta State because they called me the day before signing day and ask was I signed with UCF, UCLA, Ohio State and plenty other schools. Once I said no they immediately offered me. I wanted to win so once they told me how many NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS they won I committed immediately.

What were your goals for your senior year?

After coming off winning the 2012 National Championship and having a interception, a fumble recovery, 4 pass breakups, and 4 tackles in that National Championship game, I wanted to get back so bad. It was greatest feeling ever. So my goal my Senior year was to not have any passing touchdowns scored on me and I accomplished that goal.

Have any scouts met with you, and if so what are they saying?

3 scouts have met with me so far and they all have told me that I will definitely get picked up by a team since i have plenty of tape and I am versatile enough to be a hard hitting safety, a cat quick nickelback, and a aggressive coverage cornerback. All the scouts said Its going to be up to me to prove myself once i get that call.

At your position, what separates you from the others?

What separates me is that i can play cornerback, nickelback, and safety effectively. I have the mentality to want to hit hard like a safety but also lock you down like a corner. I am very smart and comfortable covering the middle of the field like a safety but i have hips and feet like a cornerback. I’m the full package and i make sure i sharpen my skills everyday whether it is physically or mentally.

Tell us what you look for when breaking down film?

First and foremost I find out a teams run/pass ratio so I can know what type of game I am in for. When I study film I look at a teams best game and worst game. I want to see what they did great in their best game, but I want to see what was a obstacle for them in their worst game so I can put that in my arsenal and attack with everything I have. As a coverage safety it is a must I study every receivers route depth as well as releases and the QB’s favorite receiver, because 80% of the game I am down in man coverage. I also get the percentage of how much a team throws to the middle, right, or left so I can know where to be if that team needs a play. As a run safety I always find out their money run. Second I find the tight end or lineman they go to when they need that big run play so i can get a jump and provide help for my LB’s. After that it’s the small details, like a QB looking to the side he is going to throw it to right before he snaps the ball, that I study.

Who was the toughest player you have ever faced?

I would have to give it to my teammate Seantavious “Stretch” Jones. He can make every route look the same and you really can’t get a jump on what he is running. Also with his deceptive speed and long stride if you don’t interrupt that go route I guarantee it’s a TD. 

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

I would compare myself to Earl Thomas. He can cover, hit, close fast and he is always around the ball which are all skills I pride myself on.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

FEAR..Fear to not take chances in life and fear that i won’t accomplish my goals in life, but once I realized that fear is not real and it only exist in our thoughts of the future, I became fearless and chased every dream i had relentlessly.

What system fits your style of play the best?

Any system that I can play man coverage and show that receiver he cannot and will not run a route on me. Other than that I’m not picky because i believe my versatility as a DB will allow me to fit into any system.

What is your biggest strength?

Man coverage is my strength hands down. 

What is your biggest weakness?

My weakness can be my eyes sometimes because I’m always looking to make a big play.

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

RIGHT NOW I HAVE A STARVING MENTALITY WHICH MEANS YOU WON’T FIND ANY DB MORE VERSATILE, AGGRESSIVE, OR HARD WORKING THAN ME. I HAVE A CHIP ON MY SHOULDER FOR NOT BEING RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST AND IF YOU GIVE ME THIS CHANCE “I WILL PROVE THAT I AM ONE OF THE BEST”. I’M HUNGRY AND THAT’S MY WORD.

Growing up, who was your role model?

MY DAD. WITH ONLY 200 DOLLARS, HE TOOK MY FAMILY AND I OUT OF NEW JERSEY AND BROUGHT US TO GEORGIA SO WE WOULD HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN LIFE. I THANK HIM TO THIS DAY FOR THAT LEAP OF FAITH.

Who was your favorite team and player in the NFL and why?

I LOVED THE REDSKINS AND SEAN TAYLOR. THEY WERE JUST A NASTY TEAM WHEN SEAN TAYLOR WAS PLAYING AND I WOULD ALWAYS WIN WITH THEM IN MADDEN SO THAT WAS A PLUS.

What was the most tragic event that ever happened in your life and how did you overcome it?

The most tragic event that I experienced was my cousin and I being set up, robbed, and almost killed in early January of 2013 at a party. It was really a life changing experience and I overcame it by just thanking GOD everyday for a second chance when I looked to the sky and said “It can’t end like this”

If you were to have dinner with three people dead or alive who would it be?

If I could have dinner with three people it would be Michael Jordan, Tupac and Barrack Obama

With your first paycheck what would you buy?

With my first paycheck I am paying off everything for my parents so they can live without any payments. That’s the least I can do for the only two people who believed in me no matter what, and pushed me to be the best at everything  I did.