For Jacob Holland, football has always been about more than just Friday nights. It has been about family, faith, and finding the right place to grow — not only as a player, but as a person.
That journey reached a major milestone this week as the Midway Raiders tight end and defensive end announced his commitment to continue his career at the next level with the East Carolina University Pirates.
Holland said the decision felt less like a leap and more like a calling.
“East Carolina just felt right,” Holland explained. “My mom went there, two of my aunts went there, and I’ve got a cousin there now. When I was little, I went to football camp there, and I always enjoyed being around it. I’ve always loved the school, the football program, and the coaches.”
During his visit, it was the energy inside the program that stood out most.
“Their practices are high volume,” he said. “They go hard. It’s loud, chaotic, but organized at the same time. That’s the type of environment where I feel like I can thrive, and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Holland, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs around 240 pounds, has been patient throughout the recruiting process, waiting for the opportunity that felt right — and when ECU came calling, he knew.
“It was really what I’d been hoping and praying for,” he said. “It came at just the right time.”
That faith-driven mindset has been at the core of Holland’s development, something he credits heavily to his family. From backyard reps with his older brother to nutritional support from his mom, every detail mattered.
“My family has been huge,” Holland said. “My older brother was always playing catch with me in the yard, watching football with me, teaching me the game. My dad handled the football side, and my mom handled the nutrition. When I needed to gain weight, she made sure I had everything I needed. They’ve all been there the whole way.”
At Midway, Holland played on both sides of the ball — a responsibility he believes will pay off at the next level.
“Knowing defense helps you understand offense, and vice versa,” he said. “It helps you mentally, not just physically. I feel confident on both sides of the ball, and I think that helps my conditioning and my understanding of the game.”
That football IQ has not gone unnoticed.
Midway head coach Barrett Sloan described Holland as one of the most complete players — and people — he has ever coached.
“Anybody who gets Jacob Holland is getting a steal,” Sloan stated. “Everybody sees what he does on the field, but they don’t see what he does behind closed doors. His character, his testimony — that’s who he is.”
Sloan said Holland’s faith is the foundation of everything he does.
“He’s a devout Christian, and that’s the first thing he wants people to know about him,” Sloan said. “A lot of kids say that, but Jacob lives it. Having him in our locker room has made me a better man.”
On the field, Sloan described Holland as “a man among boys,” citing his work ethic, physicality, and intelligence.
“People see the touchdowns and the big blocks because of his size,” Sloan explained. “What they don’t always see is how smart he is. Jacob studies the game. He understands leverage, situations, and concepts.”
One moment in particular stands out.
“We were playing Wallace in a tight game,” Sloan recalled. “He came to the sideline, we drew something up because he understood what he was seeing, and it worked. He scored, and we won. That’s Jacob.”
Beyond football, Holland has embraced the full meaning of student-athlete, earning a place near the top of his class.
“He’s a 4.4 GPA student, top 10 in his class,” Sloan said. “I honestly don’t know how he balances everything he does, but he does it. East Carolina is getting a special one.”
As Holland prepares for his official signing and the next chapter ahead, he made sure to thank those who helped shape his journey — from coaches and teammates to the Midway community.
“Coach Sloan, Coach Yates, Coach Carroll — they’ve all pushed me,” Holland said. “And the Midway community has shown a lot of love. I’m really grateful for that.”
Looking ahead to Greenville, Holland kept expectations simple and powerful.
“They can expect someone they can count on,” he said. “They can expect my best effort every single day.”
Sloan summed it up best with a message he hopes Holland carries forward.
“Just keep being you,” Sloan said. “Keep bringing light, keep holding yourself and others accountable, and keep being the kind of person this world needs more of.”
And if his journey so far is any indication, the Pirates are getting exactly that.