Jesse Holley
Encyclopedia
Jesse Holley is an American football
wide receiver
for the Dallas Cowboys
of the National Football League
. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals
as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football
at North Carolina
. He won the reality TV show, 4th and Long
.
in Roselle where he is the all time leader in receptions (106), receiving yards (1,449) and touchdown catches (27). Holley would also play quarterback starting five games in the position. In his junior year, Holley caught 44 passes for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns. Holley was ranked in the top 20 receivers by most recruiting websites and magazines.
In basketball, Holley averaged 20 points per game and broke the school's career basketball scoring record.
Holley is a cousin of former Boston Globe writer and current WEEI evening drive host Michael Holley. This has been confirmed by their grandmother Katherine.
for the University of North Carolina
. He was a member of the 2004–05 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
that won the National Championship.
. After being cut following training camp, he was signed to Bengals practice squad on September 7, 2007. On October 5, he was released when Marcus Maxwell
was signed.
sent tapes to the BC Lions
of the Canadian Football League
; Holley signed with the team on May 22, 2008, and released June 15, following the team's first pre-season game.
's football reality show 4th and Long
; he received an invitation to attend the Dallas Cowboys
training camp. Before being on 4th and Long, he was working as a security guard, as well as selling cell phones in North Carolina
. He was signed to the team on July 21, 2009. Holley played in his first game for the NFL
on August 13, 2009 in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders
. Holley recorded no catches, blocks or tackles. Holley caught his first pass on August 21, 2009 in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans
. On September 4, Holley returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings
. The Cowboys released Holley on September 5 as a final cut. He cleared waivers and signed to the Cowboys' practice squad on September 6, 2009.
Holley re-signed a future contract with the Cowboys on January 22, 2010, after his contract expired at season's end. During the 2010 preseason, many figured Holley to make the team past Sam Hurd
. On September 4, 2010, he was again waived at the final cuts. He was signed to the team's practice squad the day after. He was promoted to the active roster on October 15, 2010.
In the August 27, 2011 preseason game, against the Minnesota Vikings
, Holley recorded three catches for 51-yards. At the conclusion of the 2011 preseason, Holley made the 53-man roster, and is expected to be fifth receiver on the depth chart.
On September 18, 2011, during the second game of the 2011 season against the San Francisco 49ers, Holley recorded his first NFL reception for 5 yards. He made two catches during the Cowboys' final drive in regulation, leading to overtime. In overtime, after a three-and-out by the 49ers offense, Holley made a 77-yard reception during Dallas' first offensive play, taking the ball to the 1 yard line and setting up the game winning 19-yard field goal.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
. He won the reality TV show, 4th and Long
4th and Long
4th and Long is a reality television series hosted by Michael Irvin that premiered on Spike on May 18, 2009.The winner of the show earned a spot at the Dallas Cowboys training camp - with a shot of making the roster. The show pits six wide receivers against six defensive backs...
.
Early years
Holley played high school football at Abraham Clark High SchoolAbraham Clark High School
Abraham Clark High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from the borough of Roselle, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Roselle Public Schools. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association...
in Roselle where he is the all time leader in receptions (106), receiving yards (1,449) and touchdown catches (27). Holley would also play quarterback starting five games in the position. In his junior year, Holley caught 44 passes for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns. Holley was ranked in the top 20 receivers by most recruiting websites and magazines.
In basketball, Holley averaged 20 points per game and broke the school's career basketball scoring record.
Holley is a cousin of former Boston Globe writer and current WEEI evening drive host Michael Holley. This has been confirmed by their grandmother Katherine.
College career
Holley played both basketball and footballNorth Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
for the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
. He was a member of the 2004–05 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
2004–05 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
The 2004–05 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team represented University of North Carolina. The Head Coach was Roy Williams. The team played its home games at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and was a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.-Roster:-Schedule:Tar Heel...
that won the National Championship.
Freshman season
Holley played in all 12 games and had 12 receptions for 168 yards, two touchdowns and had a tackle on special teams. before transferring to basketball which he played on the National Championship team and scored 13 points in the seasonSophomore season
Holley played in all 12 games and became one of the starting receivers. He finished the season second on the team with 30 catches for 456 yards and two touchdowns.Junior season
Again starting all games Holley led the team with 47 receptions for 670 yards and scored one touchdown. He was ranked fifth in the league in receiving yards per game and sixth in receptions.Cincinnati Bengals
Holley was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. After being cut following training camp, he was signed to Bengals practice squad on September 7, 2007. On October 5, he was released when Marcus Maxwell
Marcus Maxwell
Marcus James Maxwell is an American football wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
was signed.
BC Lions
After safety Barron MilesBarron Miles
Barron Miles is a retired professional Canadian football player for the Canadian Football League. He is now a Defensive and Player Personnel Assistant for the BC Lions...
sent tapes to the BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
; Holley signed with the team on May 22, 2008, and released June 15, following the team's first pre-season game.
Dallas Cowboys
Holley was the winner of Michael IrvinMichael Irvin
Michael Jerome Irvin is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for NFL Network. Irvin was self-nicknamed "The Playmaker" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his...
's football reality show 4th and Long
4th and Long
4th and Long is a reality television series hosted by Michael Irvin that premiered on Spike on May 18, 2009.The winner of the show earned a spot at the Dallas Cowboys training camp - with a shot of making the roster. The show pits six wide receivers against six defensive backs...
; he received an invitation to attend the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
training camp. Before being on 4th and Long, he was working as a security guard, as well as selling cell phones in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He was signed to the team on July 21, 2009. Holley played in his first game for the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
on August 13, 2009 in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Holley recorded no catches, blocks or tackles. Holley caught his first pass on August 21, 2009 in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. On September 4, Holley returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. The Cowboys released Holley on September 5 as a final cut. He cleared waivers and signed to the Cowboys' practice squad on September 6, 2009.
Holley re-signed a future contract with the Cowboys on January 22, 2010, after his contract expired at season's end. During the 2010 preseason, many figured Holley to make the team past Sam Hurd
Sam Hurd
Samuel George Hurd, III is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.-Early life:...
. On September 4, 2010, he was again waived at the final cuts. He was signed to the team's practice squad the day after. He was promoted to the active roster on October 15, 2010.
In the August 27, 2011 preseason game, against the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, Holley recorded three catches for 51-yards. At the conclusion of the 2011 preseason, Holley made the 53-man roster, and is expected to be fifth receiver on the depth chart.
On September 18, 2011, during the second game of the 2011 season against the San Francisco 49ers, Holley recorded his first NFL reception for 5 yards. He made two catches during the Cowboys' final drive in regulation, leading to overtime. In overtime, after a three-and-out by the 49ers offense, Holley made a 77-yard reception during Dallas' first offensive play, taking the ball to the 1 yard line and setting up the game winning 19-yard field goal.