By JEFF OLIVER
MVI Sports
When Andrew Whiteside of the Philadelphia Sports Chronicle wrote about a potential selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in the upcoming NFL Draft, it raised some eyebrows.
The story left an impression on Eagles fans that had a ripple effect all the way across the state to the Mon Valley.
The subject was Slippery Rock defensive back Dalton Holt, a 2017 graduate of Ringgold.
It’s no surprise that draftniks are talking about Holt (6-0, 195). In 2018 and 2019, he spearheaded a defense that helped Slippery Rock squad make two deep runs in the NCAA Division II playoffs, losing in the quarterfinals in 2018 and in the semifinals in 2019 to Minnesota State. SRU went unbeaten in conference play in both seasons.
Whiteside lauded Holt as an NFL-worthy safety whose emotional and leadership skills also include having a nose for the ball and being a hard-hitting tackler. He compared Holt to NFL star Tyrann Mathieu of Kansas City for his style of play.
There is no doubt that Holt has playing in the NFL listed among his goals, but there is one problem.
He still has a year of eligibility at Slippery Rock.
Since the PSAC opted not to play in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Holt was granted an extra year of eligibility, and he plans on taking advantage of it.
“I think when (Whiteside) wrote that story he didn’t know I was staying at Slippery Rock and not coming out for this draft,” said Holt.
At a time when many collegiate players with an eye on the NFL opt to leave school early, Holt decided to spend another year in college. And his reasoning makes a lot of sense.
“I haven’t had the pads on for 15 months, and I don’t think that will help me when working out (for NFL teams),” he said. “I think it is better for me to stay in school, play in the fall and then work out for teams after only three months from being in pads.
“I think one more year (at Slippery Rock) will be a big help for me, allow me to work on some things I think I need to clean up.”
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