Editor's note: Over the next 20 days, the Star's Zack Rosenblatt will profile each of Arizona’s verbal commitments leading up to signing day. Arizona’s 2016 class currently has 15 commitments, but there is expected to be a lot movement over the next couple of weeks leading up to Feb. 3.
Next up: Salpointe Catholic defensive lineman Justin Holt
Justin Holt wreaked havoc on opposing offensive lines for Salpointe Catholic last fall — he had 4.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries for the Lancers.
That pass-rushing talent runs in Holt's veins — his father, Julius, was a standout defensive lineman for the Wildcats in the 1980s.
Holt is doing his best to follow in his father’s footsteps, committing to Arizona way back in March of 2015. He will sign a National Letter of Intent less than a month from now.
Despite all that, Holt is frustrated: He can’t play football, practice, or train — and he hates it.
Holt broke his fibula playing dodgeball in P.E. class in November, and has been pretty much out of commission ever since.
“I was pretty (ticked),” Holt said. “When it happened I heard a crack, and I looked down my was ankle was kind of just hanging there.”
Holt expects to make a full recovery and be ready for fall camp, but that doesn’t make the stress go away. He just started walking last week and will be able to walk without a boot and start doing agility work in the next week or so.
“It is the offseason so, that helps me being able to deal with my injury a little better but it’s still frustrating because I want to be out there working,” Holt said. “I always get anxious, I want to be out there working, out there playing. I miss football.”
Here’s a closer look at Holt and his path to the Wildcats.
Justin Holt
- The file: Defensive lineman, 6 feet 1 inch, 285 pounds. From Salpointe Catholic High School.
- Recruiting trail: Holt committed to the Wildcats early in the process, and before he even really had a chance to receive scholarship offers from other schools. “I felt like it was the perfect time to do that,” he told the Star then. Before committing, Holt had said UCLA and Utah were expressing interest, and he took an unofficial visit to UCLA with his father.
- The numbers: As a senior, Holt finished with 79 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble for the 5-5 Lancers. In 2013, Holt teamed with UA corner Cam Denson to guide Salpointe to a state title. That year, Holt tallied 46 tackles, four tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
- He said it: “From a competitive standpoint I want to get out there and start getting better. The other kids in my class are out there working hard and I want to do the same." — Holt
- Links: Scout, Rivals and 247Sports profiles; A Star story about when Holt was offered by Arizona and another about when he committed; a feature about Holt going into his senior season; a more recent article which includes Holt's reaction to Arizona's recent coaching changes.
Highlight video of Holt's senior season
