FSU's Holliday remains upbeat about NFL future

By Khary K. McGhee
Fayetteville Observer Staff writer

Doubt began to enter into Brian Holliday's mind a couple of weeks ago.

"I was thinking, 'Dang, maybe I'm overrating myself,'" the former Fayetteville State linebacker said.

But a workout with the New York Jets three weeks ago has Holliday feeling a little bit better about his abilities and his prospects for a future in the NFL.

"That was a big load off my back," Holliday said of the workout. "I thought it went pretty well."

Holliday's invitation to the workout was due largely to Fayetteville native Jimmy Raye, who is the assistant head coach/senior offensive assistant with the Jets.

Holliday's agent, Ralph Vitolo, said he got positive feedback about the workout from the Jets, but an invitation to their training camp probably won't be forthcoming.

"The workout went really well for the most part," Vitolo said. "But they only let him run the (40-yard dash) once, and he didn't run a great time."

The poor time hurts Holliday because if he's going to make a NFL roster he'll need to do so by making an impact on special teams. A poor time in the 40-yard dash makes it look like a player won't be able to quickly run down the field to make a play on special teams.

"I couldn't believe they only let them run the 40 once," Vitolo said. "I think only two players that were at that workout were offered physicals (and received an invitation to join the team). We'll just have to see what else is out there."

Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, linebackers coach Bob Sutton and special teams coach Mike Westoff put Holliday through several drills during the two-hour workout.

"They told me to run so, man, I ran," Holliday said. "I was happy to do it."

Holliday said he also spent time talking with Jets personnel as a kind of casual interview.

"I think they just wanted to see where my head was at," Holliday said.

After two standout seasons for the Broncos, Holliday found himself undrafted and unsigned following the 2003 National Football League Draft in April.

That's not terribly alarming given that Fayetteville State, unlike its Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association rivals Winston-Salem State and Virginia Union, has virtually no tradition of football excellence and hadn't turned out a notable NFL prospect in decades.

But in the weeks following the draft, when NFL teams scrounge the market for overlooked undrafted free agents, Holliday was overlooked. No teams came calling despite the 370 tackles, including a NCAA Division II record 150 tackles his senior year, that Holliday amassed his last two seasons of college football.

Holliday said the Jets workout was a welcomed relief.

"You just start to doubt yourself a little bit," Holliday said. "But I haven't given up."

Staff writer Khary K. McGhee can be reached at mcgheek@fayettevillenc.com or 486-3591.