Four-star DT Holley drops Penn State for Florida

For the fourth time in the last 11 days, the Florida Gators have flipped a highly-regarded prospect committed to another program with four-star defensive tackle Thomas Holley (Brooklyn, NY) snubbing the Penn State Nittany Lions to instead continue his career playing college football in Gainesville, FL.

Ranked No. 63 overall in the Rivals100, Holley began wavering after head coach Bill O’Brien left Penn State for the Houston Texans. Florida was already in his ear about changing his commitment but gained even greater momentum after O’Brien made his decision and PSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson left for a gig with Ohio State.

Holley (6-foot-4, 299 pounds) is also listed as a four-star prospect and ranked 51st nationally by ESPN. He had an impressive offer list with Alabama, Florida State, OSU and numerous other programs hoping to add his services.

Also a basketball player, Holley is seen as an athletic interior defensive lineman who has great burst, effort and pass rush abilities but needs to improve his pad level and hands when defending the run.

He will draw some comparisons to former Gators DT Dominique Easley, who just so happens to be Florida’s last commitment from the state of New York.

Florida now has 21 players committed for the 2014 recruiting cycle after a whirlwind last few weeks. The Gators have added five-star cornerback Jalen Tabor (Washington, DC), four-star running back Brandon Powell (Deerfield Beach, FL), three-star offensive lineman Kavaris Harkless (Jacksonville, FL) and four-star defensive end Gerald Willis III (New Orleans, LA) all since Jan. 2.