Jay Gruden isn’t the only one around the Washington Redskins who can’t stop praising rookie linebacker Cole Holcomb.
Count defensive coach Rob Ryan among those who are really happy with what the fifth-round pick has flashed so far, too.
Appearing on 106.7 The Fan, Ryan said the following (h/t 247 Sports’ Sam Hellman):
“This Cole Holcomb is going to surprise a lot of people. He’s a young guy we drafted in the fifth round, but he’s a much more physical player than anybody really thought. He’s very smart. He’s tough. He’s fast. I think he’s going to do some great things, and I think it will be pretty obvious from Thursday on that we have a heck of a draft pick here.”
That’s high praise coming from a coach as experienced as Ryan, especially with his linebackers unit already facing some adversity via the loss of Reuben Foster.
Holcomb surprising isn’t anything new though. He was a walk-on at North Carolina before becoming a stalwart for the defense. It only seems natural his coverage ability and athleticism makes him a fit for today’s passing-oriented league, at worst on a rotational basis.
Given some of the injury setbacks facing the roster already, Holcomb indeed might get on the field earlier than expected.
