After being released to pursue NFL opportunities on Tuesday, it didn’t take long for former Calgary Stampeders linebacker Nate Holley to get his first NFL workout.
Holley was in Florida on Friday for a workout with the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. The news was first reported by Corey Crisan of the Toledo Blade, who notes that Holley was tested for the coronavirus on Thursday and again Friday, with a tryout contingent on both returning negative results.
According to Holley, he has also been contacted by four other NFL franchises — Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers — to offer him workouts.
The CFL Players’ Association filed a grievance with the league in February over Holley’s lack of ability to pursue NFL interest. After the 2020 season was cancelled in Canada, the Stamps finally allowed Holley to seek employment south of the border.
The 25-year-old Holley played in all 18 games last year where he notched 78 defensive tackles, 22 special team tackles, one sack and one interception. For his efforts, Holley was named the league’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2019.
During four seasons at Kent State University, Holley played in 43 games recording 424 tackles, defended seven passes, notched three sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered two more and grabbed one interception. The six-foot, 210-pound tackler was named first-team all-Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2014 and 2015.
After going unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Holley signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings, but did not make the final roster. In June of 2018, he inked a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, although Holley was waived at the end of training camp.
Holley’s next NFL shot appears to be in the offing.
