Auburn football: 5 most underrated players of the Gus Malzahn era

Underrated Auburn football players: Jeff Holland

Perhaps it’s because we only got to see his full potential for one season or maybe it’s because he went undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft and is therefore not heard from much anymore. Either way, there’s no doubt that Jeff Holland is one of the most underappreciated stars in the Malzahn era.

Holland served as the backup to Carl Lawson at the Buck position during the 2015 and 2016 campaigns. But when Lawson left for the pros, Holland stepped in and became the Tigers best pass rusher.

After recording a combined three sacks in his first two seasons, “Sensei Mud” would explode in 2017. Holland recorded 45 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, a team-high 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

The 6-foot-2, 249-pound pass-rusher made a living in the opposing backfield and was a major reason for Auburn’s SEC West title in 2017. Unfortunately, Holland was awarded as a First-Team All-SEC selection that season but as a bit of a one-year wonder, Holland’s impact has been forgotten or undervalued when in reality, he put together one of the best pass-rushing seasons in Auburn history.