Here’s the report on Holker, from someone who follows both programs
TL,DR: There’s solid potential there. He’s not as good a player as BYU fans would have had you think (before transferring), but he’s also more promising than his stat line shows.
He’s a big, athletic guy with the frame to be a strong piece. Came in at 6’5″, 220 and had a fairly good true freshman year, making solid contributions behind Matt Bushman and outplaying several Cougars who later WERE major contributors (Dax Milne, Neil Pau’u, Gunner Romney). Went on a mission and over the next few years added a fair amount of muscle, while retaining his athleticism, now listed at 6’5″, 240.
Between the exciting true freshman year and the improved physique, BYU fans got REALLY excited about him, which is probably some of the noise you’ve heard – about how BYU’s TE room (Isaac Rex and Dallin Holker) is on near-par with Utah’s (Kuithe and Kincaid). Obviously that’s not accurate, and part of it is fandom, but there was reason to be excited about Holker. Since that time though, he’s failed to live up to the expectations there. His true freshman year remains his top statistical production.
The question is why that’s the case. Is it because of a limited role behind Isaac Rex and the strong BYU WR corps (which is what he’s implying he believes with his decision to transfer)? Is it because last year was spent recovering from the mission? Is it because the freshman year was a fluke, promising stats on a mediocre team? Is it because he lost athleticism with the extra weight?
He’s definitely got potential and is (at the very least) a good depth addition to the team. Has the chance to be a starter and strong contributor. But, as the saying goes “Potential is just another word for ‘haven’t done jack yet’ ” It’ll be up to whatever team he ends up with to develop him (including providing opportunities) to try to unlock whatever potential may be there.
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