Fansided

Penn State could lose 4-star DT Thomas Holley if Bill O’Brien goes to the NFL

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 2, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Bill O'Brien walks on the field prior to the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Bill O'Brien walks on the field prior to the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bill O'Brien
Nov 2, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Bill O’Brien walks on the field prior to the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

The Penn State Nittany Lions received the commitment from four-star defensive tackle Thomas Holley on Dec. 17, but if Bill O’Brien leaves Happy Valley for a head coaching job in the NFL, possibly with the Houston Texans, that could open up the recruitment for the No. 5 defensive tackle in the 247Sports composite rankings.

Whenever a coach is fired or leaves on his own accord after building a relationship and deep level of trust it can change things in a flash when that relationship is broken. Holley may no longer feel comfortable should O’Brien take the Texans up on their offer to become a head coach in the NFL and could look elsewhere.

The 6-4, 285-pound Brooklyn, NY product of Abraham Lincoln high school picked Penn State over the Florida Gators, so if O’Brien leaves would the Gators be in position to flip him?

Holley took his official visit to Florida on Nov. 29 and before he committed to Penn State said the decision came down to the wire between them and the Gators.

Fans may want to monitor the movement of O’Brien as it could lead to Florida landing a defensive tackle with a ceiling as high as any player in this class, because Holley has only been playing football for one season.

Look for the Ohio State Buckeyes to get involved where Holley took an official visit on Oct. 19 and could enter the sweepstakes, but for now Holley is a Nittany Lion, so long as O’Brien is the coach.

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