All eyes are on Indianapolis this week as the Colts’ home stadium once again serves as the site of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Gauntlet drills, where participants must catch a series of passes before sprinting down the sideline, are usually one of the most anticipated activities of the week. Former Colorado State University tight end Darrin Holker turned heads Friday with a spectacular one-handed catch during practice.
After making what was probably the last catch of the sequence, Holker began heading down the field, but quickly noticed another pass heading in his direction. Holker then turned around and grabbed the ball in one hand, holding the soccer ball in the other.
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Darrin Holker #TE06 of Colorado participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
It’s common for passes to fall during drills, but that makes Holker’s display of athleticism all the more impressive.
“Never seen before,” the NFL wrote in a social media post that included video of Holker’s catch.
Former Georgia Bulldogs star Brock Bowers is widely expected to be the first tight end to hear his name called in next month’s NFL Draft, but Holker’s draft stock could certainly rise.
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As a sophomore playing for undefeated Napa High School, Bowers was lightly scouted. He only had an FBS scholarship offer from Nevada until one of his coaches fought hard to get him into Nike’s camp. He was so good there that offers started pouring in, including one from Notre Dame to play linebacker.
Eventually, the Fighting Irish changed course and asked Bowers to play tight end. The problem for Notre Dame was that Bowers had dreams of playing football in the South and took advantage of that opportunity in 2021 when Darnell Washington was injured.
A year later, Bowers beat out Notre Dame star Michael Mayer to win the John Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end, and he won the Mackey Award again last season despite battling an ankle injury. became a person.
Darrin Holker #TE06 of Colorado participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Former Texas Longhorns star J’Tavion Sanders and former Ohio State Buckeyes standout Cade Stover are also considered top tight end prospects entering this year’s draft.
Stover plays the tight end position with the intensity of a linebacker.
“They asked me if I could contribute defensively and there’s no question about that. I can help wherever they want me to help,” Stover said Thursday. “I love playing tight end, but I’m here to do whatever it takes to win ballgames.”
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Holker finished the 2023 season with 767 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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