CHRISTIAN HOLLOWAY: On the offensive

[PonyPride]

Christian Holloway is finally ready to get his college career underway, but not at the position he played when he signed with SMU. The former high school defensive end visited with PonyFans.com to discuss how much bulk he has gained and how his athleticism and defensive mentality will help him at his new position: offensive tackle.

Full story: On the offensive

[SMUer]

We take star DEs and make them tackles? Can't we just recruit any ol' big kid, with long arms and put him in a dance class?

[malonish]

We take star DEs and make them tackles? Can't we just recruit any ol' big kid, with long arms and put him in a dance class?

What about piano class?

[PonyPride]

Lots of teams move DE prospects to offensive tackle, as everyone wants offensive tackles who are athletic, mobile and have long arms, and Holloway certainly is all of those things. Wayne Hunter, mentioned in the story, made the move in college and has been in the NFL for nine years, and is just one of many examples. (At least one NFL scout has even said his team would like to draft Margus Hunt, add 40 or so pounds and make him an offensive tackle!) Holloway said he's about 285 pounds now, and he has a great frame. When I interviewed him last week, he still looks very lean. If his goal really is to add about 10 more pounds, it's hard to believe he would have any trouble carrying that weight, or maybe more.

[JasonB]

This is probably also an indication that mason is not just blowing smoke when he says we are three deep on the d Line

[SMUguy]

Thanks for clearing this up, PP. I was looking forward to seeing him at DE, but I admit I'm pretty eager to get another big athlete on the OL.

By the way, can we suggest stories? I'm curious to know who's going to deep-snap after Voosen graduated. You never notice a deep-snapper, but Voosen was quietly very good.

[Stallion]

so Hollway has played 2 years of high school football-sits out 2 years and now will learn a brand new position meaning he's not likely to play for 2 more years. OK. Mason always gets 3rd choice on Athletes-yet he outperforms June

[mrydel]

Come on Stallion. I can be a lawyer in 2 years. I would think an athletic young man could become a tackle in less time.

[Stallion]

3 years and you'd make a better mediator

[ojaipony]

Sorry, but this is a very very stupid move. The guy runs a 4.6 40 and we have no one very impressive lined up for DE except maybe Minor but he's smaller and still in high school. i'm sure i don't know what i'm talking about but this is very disappointing (how many OTs do we already have on this team - Myers, Lowe, Weeks, Reich, Briggs, Chewey, Walling - versus athletic DEs - can't think of any)?

[ClickClack]

Walling and Chamagua have been working at Guard. Weeks has been woring at both OT and G.

If im not mistaken Lowe has 1 year of eligibility and is a huge question mark. he wont even be on the roster when Holloway is ready to play.

[Grant Carter]

Possible that mason decided he was not going to cut it at DE? I agree that it seems that June often "steals" guys from mason, but I wonder if that is always the case or if sometimes that is just a nicer way for them to say it.

[Stallion]

Mason must be a Nostradamus then-Holloway hasn't even touched the field yet-even for practice

[PonyPride]

Possible that mason decided he was not going to cut it at DE? I agree that it seems that June often "steals" guys from mason, but I wonder if that is always the case or if sometimes that is just a nicer way for them to say it.

I'm not sure that's the case. Mason has talked openly about Holloway's promise at defensive end, citing his athleticism while also acknowledging that he is extremely raw at any position, having only played two years of football in high school. When asked about the possibility of losing Holloway to offense, Mason expressed disappointment, because he thinks Holloway can help on defense, but said he also could be a very good offensive lineman, with his combination of size, a frame that should allow him to add a lot of weight (he already has added 45) and athletic ability. Coaches are constantly looking for athletic tackles with long arms and good feet. Regardless of how he pans out, those are attributes he has.

[PonyPride]

In addition, the coaches obviously acknowledge the talent and experience the team is losing with the departures of Margus Hunt, Torlan Pittman, Kevin Grenier and Aaron Davis, but they also have had a lot of very positive things to say about Zach Wood, Beau Barnes, Darrian Wright, Nick Reed, Cameron Smith and especially Elie Nabushosi, who is still developing but has shown enormous potential.