At the end of every fall camp, the Ole Miss coaching staff meets and decides which walk-ons will be rewarded scholarships for their commitment and dedication to the team. This season, one name got a unanimous vote. That name was senior wide receiver Jordan Holder.
Despite receiving the honor, something wasn’t sitting right with Holder. A player, a teammate and, most importantly, a friend was in need, and Holder stepped up to the plate. Fellow senior Justin Bigham, who is entering his fifth season with the team, was in a tight spot and would not be able to play his final season in red and blue without a little help.
“I was going home if I didn’t (get the scholarship) because I’ve already graduated,” Bigham said. “I had a Pell Grant when I came to school and after you graduate you don’t qualify for a Pell Grant anymore. So if I didn’t get put on (scholarship), I was going to have to take out about $8,000 to stay for football season, and I couldn’t ask for my parents to do that for me. I didn’t really have a choice.”
Holder, who was aware of the news, took action.
“He was sitting right beside me when they announced mine, and they never called his name,” Holder said. “I just felt sick to my stomach. We started off together and I definitely wanted him to have one. I just didn’t ever feel good about it.”
Therefore, Holder, who is only taking one class this fall, gave his scholarship to his friend Bigham, who has a full load of classes that were suddenly free.
“I know he has been in tight spots with college, and I just wanted to help him out and do that for him,” Holder said.
Bigham, a tight end from West Helena, Ark., roomed with Holder during their sophomore season after becoming close friends their first year on campus. Since then, the two have been like brothers, and Holder’s sacrifice proves just that.
“I really respect him for that,” Bigham said. “It takes a lot, especially coming from a walk-on after five years. To earn that means everything. When you come here, you don’t come just to say you’re on the team. We’re here to feel like we are actually doing something. For both of us, having been on the field before, it really means something to get a scholarship.
“So for him to give his up after he’s earned it like that, it meant everything.”
While Holder made an impact off the field, he is also beginning to make an impact on it. He isn’t a household name just yet for Ole Miss, but the Bay Springs native is beginning to thrive.
Holder had only seen action in four games since he joined the team in 2009, but this past Thursday he made his mark catching three passes for 20 yards in a 39-35 win over Vanderbilt.
“It was a good game,” Holder said. “I’m excited we got the win. First play, I looked up and had to pinch myself for a second because Bo (Wallace) just slung it right at me, but I’m just happy that I caught it and got it out of the way.”
Holder recorded his first reception in that game, but the road to the field was a long one.
“It definitely has been,” Holder said about the long wait to see action. “It’s been all worth it. The good Lord had a plan for me, and I’m just glad it all worked out.”
During fall camp, Holder found himself taking reps with the first team and also seeing a lot of balls come his way during practice. However, the question still remained if he would get game action in his final year. Holder said that he felt he was going to, but knew he couldn’t get too anxious about it.
“Whenever I was sticking with the ones most of camp, that is kind of when I knew,” Holder said. “But I don’t ever want to get my hopes up because I’ve been there before the past couple of years. I just stuck to it, and it just panned out and worked out for me.”
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