Forget Paris: Holden looking to master his craft on the football field
While the rest of the NC State football team was toiling away at spring practice last March and April, Deonte Holden was in Paris having the experience of his young life.
No, he wasn’t on some frivolous journey of self-discovery. And yes, his absence from the practice field and weight room came with the blessing of Coach Dave Doeren and his staff.
Although the sixth-year defensive end did use the opportunity to do some sightseeing and networking for a future business venture, the main purpose of his trip abroad was to pursue a master’s degree in global and luxury management -- his third master’s and fourth college degree overall.
“(Paris) was a blessing,” Holden said. “I always thank NC State for letting me go, especially on a full scholarship.
“I was going to get my second or third masters. It’s hard to count. But I went to get my last degree. I also traveled around to a lot of different countries, did a lot of things for my business and making a new home for myself.”
Holden, a 6-foot-4, 247-pound native of Landover, Md. who was granted an extra year of eligibility because of a foot injury that sidelined him for 18 months in 2015-16, graduated from State in three years with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.
He went on to earn a master’s degree in business management, then another in brand marketing and textile management, in the process becoming the epitome of the NCAA’s definition of student-athlete.
“I’m trying to get guys to see that there’s more you can get from football,” he said.
For as much as he benefited from his time in Paris, though, Holden’s preparation for his final college season on the field took a back seat to his other priorities for the four months from January to April.
He did what he could to stay in shape by staying in constant touch with defensive line coach Kevin Patrick and following a diet and exercise regimen prescribed for him by strength and conditioning coach Dantonio “Thunder” Burnette.
“I partnered with Coach Thunder and he gave me workout sheets to do,” Holden said. “I consistently kept up with him and communicated with the coaches -- from coach (Dave) Doeren to my position coach, Coach Patrick -- to make sure they knew what I was doing."
Still, it wasn’t always easy to stick with the plan and do the kinds of activities normally associated with a football offseason.
“When I was in Paris it was really cold, so I didn’t get the heat,” Holden said. “It was definitely an environment change. I just had to adapt to the change pretty quickly.”
Holden suffered another football-related setback upon his return to State, when an injury forced him to miss most of preseason camp and the opening game against East Carolina. He returned to the field the following week against Western Carolina, then saw his most extensive action thus far last week, with 24 snaps in the loss at West Virginia.
While his increased playing time might have been the product of injuries that kept both starting ends -- senior James Smith-Williams and freshman Joseph Boletepeli -- out of action, his play likely enhanced his chances of seeing more significant playing time as the season progresses.
Holden recorded the Wolfpack’s only sack when he corralled Mountaineers quarterback Austin Kendall in the backfield late in the first half.
"It helps now that Deonte is healthy,” Doeren said. “He missed all of training camp, so now that he's healthy it helps to have another guy.”
And not just another guy.
According to Patrick, Holden’s experience, his maturity and his ability to communicate make him almost like a coach on the field.
“He’s been around here a good bit, so he’s an old do,” the defensive line coach said. “ He knows what’s going on. He’s been out there and every time he’s been out there he’s fit in perfectly.
“He’s a good leader. He’s got a lot of energy and a lot of juice up that line of scrimmage. The guy knows what he’s doing out there, so he brings a lot to the younger guys in leadership and coaching. From a player’s perspective, he does a phenomenal job with that.”
When healthy and in full game shape, he’s also an effective contributor as well.
Holden was second on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss last season, finishing the season with 21 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble while earning State’s Ken McNeill Award for comeback from injury.
"I came back (from Paris) and things happened. I just had to earn my spot back and understand that you’ve got to work for what you want," he said earlier this week. "I’m definitely back 100 percent. I’m just working every day to get back to where I was before and to be better than what I was before.”
Teammate Jarius Morehead has no doubt that will happen.
“I like Deonte. He brings a lot to the table,” the senior safety said. “He always has energy and he’s a pretty smart guy. He’s got like four degrees. That’s a lot more than just pretty smart.”
