Fullback brings strength, good hands to team
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

Stability has not been the word to describe the overall situation of the Frogs’ backfield.

At tailback the Frogs have employed juniors Ricky Madison, Corey Connally, Kenny Hayter and true freshman Lonta Hobbs at tailback, and just recently has the team been able to find a combination that has shown consistent results.

However there has been no dispute at fullback, for that has been secured by senior Reggie Holts.

At 6-foot and 238 pounds, Holts definitely looks the part. He holds TCU weight room records for a running back in the bench press (500 pounds), squat (700 pounds) and the incline (480 pounds).

Holts came to TCU as a tailback transfer from Blinn Junior College, where he rushed for more than 1,200 yards in two seasons.

He said the transition from tailback to fullback was difficult at first, but that he now has grown into the position.

“Being in high school and junior college I was the feature back, and I got the ball (about) 70 percent of the time,” Holts said. “It was a hard transition for me cause I’m used to getting the ball a lot. But being a fullback has made me tougher, and I block better. I’m getting use to it, and I’m starting to like it.”

Gaining his eligibility after the season opener last season, Holts immediately began seeing playing time in the backfield. He even made four starts at fullback, including the Frogs’ bowl game against Texas A&M last season.

Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Mike Schultz said Holts has made significant strides in his second year.

“Reggie has done a nice job this year, and he’s come a long way from last year,” Schultz said. “Needless to say, I think you’re seeing some of the benefits in the inside running game. A lot of the holes are being made because Reggie Holts is doing a good job in there blocking.”

One aspect that makes Holts more valuable to the offense is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. His number isn’t called often, but when it is, he seems to be in position to make a big play for the team.

Holts has just six receptions for the season, but they average 13.8 yards a catch. Two of the catches are for touchdowns, including a 42-yard touchdown against Cincinnati on a play the Frogs call “Vanna White,” where Holts runs a wheel route out of the backfield.

“He has very good hands,” Schultz said. “He can catch the ball, and do some things. When we went into (the Cincinnati) game with that played called, I felt very comfortable that if Reggie came open, he would make the catch and make the play.”

Madison said the trust factor he has with Holts makes him comfortable when running through holes.

“It’s more than just he’s my fullback, and I’m the running back,” Madison said. “It’s a friendship, and when you got that you trust a person. He just does an awesome job.”

Strong fullbacks with soft hands are a commodity in the National Football league, and Holts said after his collegiate career is over, he wouldn’t mind taking his skills to the next level.

“God willing, I will play fullback in the league if (a team) wants me to,” Holts said. “I’d be willing to do anything I can to help a team.”