Tucker Holloway didn't play a whole lot last year, but he left a big mark especially on special teams where he earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors as a punt returner despite not taking over that job till midseason. His punt return performance against Georgia Tech is already one of the greatest special teams single game performances in VT Football history and that combined with providing stability in his other appearances pushed him to those All-ACC honors.
Holloway also earned some reps on offense last season though those were limited with the Andrews, NC not accumulating any stats on offense last season.
However, that seems poised to change in 2023 with Holloway working regularly with the first team offense this spring along with the three transfer WRs and Stephen Gosnell. Head coach Brent Pry has also been impressed with the development and growth of Holloway throughout this offseason into spring practice.
"He's one of the guys that's really developed in the offseason. He put some weight on. He's understanding the position better, the offense better," Brent Pry said.
Part of the reason why Holloway is taking steps forward and positioned for a clear role on offense this season is because of the maturity that he has shown beyond his years at least in the eyes of WRs coach Fontel Mines.
"Tucker is one of those guys that since he's stepped on campus, you talk about maturity (with him). You forget that he just finished his freshman season," Mines said.
Another reason why Holloway seems to be seeing his development take off is the fact that he is proving to be a great student of the game and is refining his craft in any way possible. That includes doing things like getting back into the film room after working three-hour camps in the summer or picking the brain of former standout VT WR Isaiah Ford when he was on campus recently.
That mentality has helped Holloway develop as a WR and is part of why Mines felt that Holloway was ready to step into the fire on offense and special teams as a true freshman last fall.
"When we had our prospect camps in the summer, Tucker would be the one who would work three-hour camps and then go back up to the film room. You talk about Isaiah Ford being here, he probably picked (Ford's) brain more than anybody in my room. He's going to benefit from what he does behind the scenes, and that's the type of guy he is. That's why he was ready for his moment when his number was called this year," Mines said.
That student of the game mentality has also been noticed by his teammates with Stephen Gosnell praising Holloway for how he is constantly asking questions and focused on how to get better as a wide receiver.
"He's someone who's always locked in every day. He's always wanting to learn how to do better. He's asking questions with everybody on how to get better. He's definitely one of the guys that's just day in and out, his focus is football. He wants to get better. He's definitely going to be a big piece for us I believe," Gosnell said.
Now Holloway does have the gift of great speed along with good size at 6'2'' that makes for a dream pairing for a WR to have with tons of upside. There are also plenty of players at the college football who have dream-type pairings of speed and size similar to Holloway.
However, what is helping Tucker Holloway separate himself from many of those receivers is the fact that he has a strong work ethic and embraces being a student of the game. Because of that, Holloway is well on track to getting regular playing time with the first team offense from the start of this upcoming season.
