It is less attention than he deserves, Taylor believes.
“I don’t know if it’s because of his size or what it is,” Taylor said.
Holley received more attention for his work as a sophomore. The first-team All-National Division performer has also been named to the All-Region III first-team offense.
He is one of two running backs named to the team, which recognizes the top community college players in the state in four regions.
Holley is one of several Pirates who either have or are trying to finalize plans for extending their careers at a four-year school.
As announced before last season began, sophomore offensive lineman London Sapolu is headed for the University of Hawaii, where his father, former All-Pro offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu, starred as a collegian. The younger Sapolu, a Costa Mesa High product, who earned second-team all-division honors at OCC in 2009, played center and guard for the Pirates, after starting at defensive tackle as an OCC freshman in 2007.
Sophomore quarterback Kyle Manning is headed for Arkansas Monticello, an NCAA Division II school, Taylor said.
Manning completed 88 of 231 passes for 1,070 yards and four touchdowns, with 11 interceptions, as a sophomore.
First-team all-division performers Justin Niutupuai, a defensive tackle, and Jimmy Keating, an outside linebacker, are receiving interest from San Jose State and Towson State, respectively, Taylor said.
Tight end Anthony Vidal, who caught six passes for 58 yards in four games of an injury-shortened sophomore campaign, has received scholarship offers from Towson State and Southeast Missouri State, Taylor said.
Sophomore safety Keahi Raikes has received a scholarship offer from Idaho State, Taylor said.
OCC sophomores Gerald Crisp, an offensive lineman, and Kevin Borton, a defensive tackle, are taking recruiting trips to Western Illinois and Eastern Kentucky, Taylor said.
