A change of schools might fit Traeshon Holden like a new green hunting hat, but he'll have to demonstrate discipline and consistency to make Autzen Stadium his field of dreams.
Though Holden is supremely talented, there's no greater burden than unrealized potential. Last summer Josh Pate, the popular host of the podcast and web college football show "The Late Kick" named him as one of the likely breakout players in college football after Holden went off for three touchdowns of more than fifty yards in Alabama's second and final scrimmage of fall camp.
"He's 6-3, 215, very deceptive speed, a long strider," Pate said. As he often does, the 247Sports and cbs.com host looked like a prophet when the intense, often misunderstood Holden grabbed five passes for 70 and two touchdowns in the Alabama's opener versus Utah State.
The #2 Tide coasted to 4-0 that September, with the only scare being a 20-19 road victory over Texas in game two. That month Holden led all receivers on the squad with 15 catches for 214 yards and four touchdowns. After waiting his turn behind Heisman Trophy winner Davonta Freeman and first-round draft choices Jaylen Waddle and Jameson Williams, Holden was fizzing like a highball with two cherries.
The rest of the season didn't play out as well. Holden continued to flash the smoothness and fluidity that had made him a consensus four-star wide receiver and Top 250 prospect coming out of Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California, but problems emerged. Quarterback Bryce Young got hurt. Holden had four drops. New offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien went conservative with the offense, relying on screens and short passes. Traeshon's playing time dwindled, limited to one or two catches a game.
On October 22 he caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the Tide's 30-6 win over #24 Mississippi State. He took an inside screen for a 27-yard touchdown in the Iron Bowl versus Auburn.
Nobody was catching Traeshon Holden. pic.twitter.com/2pIw4f3Cms
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 26, 2022
In two seasons at Bama Holden totaled 46 catches, 570 yards & 7 touchdowns. Dissatisfied with his progress and his role, he announced his decision to transfer at the end of November, visiting Arizona State and Oregon before deciding on the Ducks.
Holden has quick feet. He drives defenders off the ball with deceptive speed and smooth gear changes. He's strong on contested balls, tough over the middle.
He has the talent to be an early-round NFL receiver if he can stay within the team structure and fully focus on football. The Ducks need him for a big role in the offense after losing Dont'e Thornton, Isaah Crocker and Seven McGee to the transfer portal, Chase Cota to graduation.
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