University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Holcomb's Career Day
November 5, 2018 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Shortly after North Carolina's 38-28 loss against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Michael Carter checked his phone and spotted a text message from his younger brother, Joshua.
Carter has often mentioned the messages he's received from family members following games. But this one didn't concern his own play. Instead, Joshua wanted to talk about one of Carter's teammates.
"Cole Holcomb is a beast," Joshua wrote, along with a smiley face emoji. And anyone who watched Saturday's game would agree.
In one of the best individual performances by a UNC defender in recent memory, Holcomb notched 22 tackles, eight more than his previous career high, set against Virginia in 2017. The 22 tackles were also the most by a Tar Heel in a regular-season game since Durrell Mapp had 23 at N.C. State in 2007. Donnie Miles recorded 22 tackles in the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl.
Holcomb also forced three fumbles, the most by a Carolina player since at least 2000. UNC recovered two of them.
"That'll get you paid," said Carter, referencing the sort of attention Holcomb might receive from NFL scouts following Saturday. "I'm so proud of Cole. I told him that and I'm going to tell him again tonight. Man, I love him like my brother."
A former walk-on, Holcomb has led the Tar Heels in tackles in each of the last two seasons. He's on pace to accomplish that feat again as a redshirt senior. His 81 tackles are currently 33 more than the team's second-leading tackler, J.K. Britt, and are the most by a Carolina player through the first eight games of a season since Mapp opened the 2007 campaign with 82.
Georgia Tech certainly helped inflate Holcomb's numbers, rushing the ball 74 times Saturday. But no matter which way the Yellow Jackets ran, he was nearby. He stayed disciplined in his gap assignments. And as the game wore on, he elevated his play.
Seventeen of Holcomb's tackles came in the second half. The two fumbles that he caused and UNC recovered also occurred after halftime, with the first leading to a field goal that cut Georgia Tech's lead to 28-20 late in the third quarter.
The Tar Heels tied the game at 28 on a touchdown and two-point conversion moments later. But the Yellow Jackets seemed poised to regain the lead on the ensuing possession, marching 61 yards in three plays. Carolina needed a stop. And Holcomb provided much more, punching the ball out of quarterback Tobias Oliver's right hand just seven yards from the end zone.
"There was definitely a momentum shift," said Holcomb of his third forced fumble. "There was never a moment where I didn't think we were going to not win the game. The whole time, you're fighting and playing to win. You don't ever think you're going to lose."
But as quickly as UNC seemed like it might snap its four-game losing streak after the fumble, its momentum evaporated.
The Tar Heels threw interceptions on each of their next two possessions. Georgia Tech capitalized on both, scoring a touchdown and a field goal to ultimately drop Carolina to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in ACC play.
In recent weeks, Larry Fedora has praised UNC's leaders for the sense of belief they've instilled in the team amid its struggles. Saturday, he specifically recognized Malik Carney and Holcomb for keeping the defense's morale high. And that will become even more vital as the Tar Heels continue fighting for the next three weeks, not for a bowl bid, but for pride.
"You just don't want guys to give up," Holcomb said. "The season isn't going how it's supposed to go, and as a leader, you want your guys to come in, which they have. They really have. The guys come in every day. They come in to work and no matter what the situation is they always give it their all.Â
"That's why I love my team, why I love my teammates and have the utmost respect for them."
That's certainly a mutual sentiment, considering the reverent tones Carney, Carter, Nathan Elliott and Myles Dorn all spoke in when asked about Holcomb. Yet his performance Saturday might've garnered him more adoration, even far beyond the locker room.
"He walks around the facility all day with his iPad watching film. Like all day," Carter said. "He won't tell you that because he doesn't want the recognition. But he grinds 24/7. I told him after the game how that's a guy who inspires me; he really does. That's what it takes to be great. …
"I think he does a good job of leading by example, and when you lead by example, your words hold more weight. When he says something, we go because we know he's taking us in the right direction."
Â
Shortly after North Carolina's 38-28 loss against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Michael Carter checked his phone and spotted a text message from his younger brother, Joshua.
Carter has often mentioned the messages he's received from family members following games. But this one didn't concern his own play. Instead, Joshua wanted to talk about one of Carter's teammates.
"Cole Holcomb is a beast," Joshua wrote, along with a smiley face emoji. And anyone who watched Saturday's game would agree.
In one of the best individual performances by a UNC defender in recent memory, Holcomb notched 22 tackles, eight more than his previous career high, set against Virginia in 2017. The 22 tackles were also the most by a Tar Heel in a regular-season game since Durrell Mapp had 23 at N.C. State in 2007. Donnie Miles recorded 22 tackles in the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl.
Holcomb also forced three fumbles, the most by a Carolina player since at least 2000. UNC recovered two of them.
"That'll get you paid," said Carter, referencing the sort of attention Holcomb might receive from NFL scouts following Saturday. "I'm so proud of Cole. I told him that and I'm going to tell him again tonight. Man, I love him like my brother."
A former walk-on, Holcomb has led the Tar Heels in tackles in each of the last two seasons. He's on pace to accomplish that feat again as a redshirt senior. His 81 tackles are currently 33 more than the team's second-leading tackler, J.K. Britt, and are the most by a Carolina player through the first eight games of a season since Mapp opened the 2007 campaign with 82.
Georgia Tech certainly helped inflate Holcomb's numbers, rushing the ball 74 times Saturday. But no matter which way the Yellow Jackets ran, he was nearby. He stayed disciplined in his gap assignments. And as the game wore on, he elevated his play.
Seventeen of Holcomb's tackles came in the second half. The two fumbles that he caused and UNC recovered also occurred after halftime, with the first leading to a field goal that cut Georgia Tech's lead to 28-20 late in the third quarter.
The Tar Heels tied the game at 28 on a touchdown and two-point conversion moments later. But the Yellow Jackets seemed poised to regain the lead on the ensuing possession, marching 61 yards in three plays. Carolina needed a stop. And Holcomb provided much more, punching the ball out of quarterback Tobias Oliver's right hand just seven yards from the end zone.
"There was definitely a momentum shift," said Holcomb of his third forced fumble. "There was never a moment where I didn't think we were going to not win the game. The whole time, you're fighting and playing to win. You don't ever think you're going to lose."
But as quickly as UNC seemed like it might snap its four-game losing streak after the fumble, its momentum evaporated.
The Tar Heels threw interceptions on each of their next two possessions. Georgia Tech capitalized on both, scoring a touchdown and a field goal to ultimately drop Carolina to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in ACC play.
In recent weeks, Larry Fedora has praised UNC's leaders for the sense of belief they've instilled in the team amid its struggles. Saturday, he specifically recognized Malik Carney and Holcomb for keeping the defense's morale high. And that will become even more vital as the Tar Heels continue fighting for the next three weeks, not for a bowl bid, but for pride.
"You just don't want guys to give up," Holcomb said. "The season isn't going how it's supposed to go, and as a leader, you want your guys to come in, which they have. They really have. The guys come in every day. They come in to work and no matter what the situation is they always give it their all.Â
"That's why I love my team, why I love my teammates and have the utmost respect for them."
That's certainly a mutual sentiment, considering the reverent tones Carney, Carter, Nathan Elliott and Myles Dorn all spoke in when asked about Holcomb. Yet his performance Saturday might've garnered him more adoration, even far beyond the locker room.
"He walks around the facility all day with his iPad watching film. Like all day," Carter said. "He won't tell you that because he doesn't want the recognition. But he grinds 24/7. I told him after the game how that's a guy who inspires me; he really does. That's what it takes to be great. …
"I think he does a good job of leading by example, and when you lead by example, your words hold more weight. When he says something, we go because we know he's taking us in the right direction."
Â
Players Mentioned
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