Alijah Holder and his brother Micah are probably going to end up attending the same college, and they’re both versatile enough to play multiple positions on the field. Alijah is an athlete from Oceanside (Calif.) High who has the potential to play either as a wide receiver or a defensive back.
Alijah Holder scouting report: Twin versatile athlete
Alijah and his brother Micah will both likely end up at the same school.
Student Sports
Holder stands at around six feet tall and weights around 170 pounds. A consensus three-star recruit, Holder is considered the 90th best wide receiver and the 65th best California prospect by 247Sports. Holder is singled out by the recruiting service for his ball skills and also possesses good hands, route running, and overall agility. Scout likes Holder more as a cornerback, rating him three stars. Neither Rivals nor ESPN has yet to rank Holder.
Holder holds several offers from schools like Arizona, BYU, Nevada, San Diego State and Washington State. You can watch Holder’s highlights on his Hudl account and follow him on Twitter at @alijahholder24.
Derrell Warren, West Coast Recruiting Analyst (@yssd): Holder is an athlete with good height (6’1” 170) who is slightly high cut.
Holder is a smooth mover who stays balanced in his drop. He shuffles along the sideline as opposed to backpedaling so that may be an adjustment he’ll need to make at the next level. Holder plays a lot of ‘off’ coverage, but would like to see him be more physical at the line of scrimmage.
On film Holder has plus level instincts. And while he isn’t necessarily what you would call an elite quick twitch athlete, his ability to diagnose plays allows him to actually ‘play’ faster when attacking the ball or jumping a route, than someone who may have better timed speed.
This trait is evident on film as he appears to be able to read routes well and routinely seems to already be in his break at the very moment the ball is rolling off the quarterback’s fingers.
He’s doesn’t have what you would call elite top end speed and it’s a question of whether he would be able to mirror quicker, more explosive receivers through their routes or run with them downfield on vertical routes.
At this point in his development he is at his best when put in a position to keep his eyes on the quarterback and makes breaks on the ball. Based on his skill set an eventual move to safety shouldn’t be out of the question.
Holder is Is physical defending out on the perimeter as he fights over the top of blocks on bubble screens sets a hard outside edge versus the run.
