Jan. 9, 2017
Vanderbilt offensive tackle Will Holden has been invited to participate in the 92nd East-West Shrine Game, scheduled January 21 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Holden, an All-Southeastern Conference performer as a senior in 2016, will be the first Commodore offensive lineman to appear in the East-West Shrine Game since Justin Geisinger in 2005.
While Holden awaits the East-West appearance, senior defensive lineman Adam Butler is back in his native Texas looking to impress pro scouts. The two-year defensive line starter is participating in the third College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium under way near Dallas. The event includes daily practices, an array of NFL-related education seminars and a concluding scrimmage.
Holden’s experience in the East-West Shrine Weekend will include four practices, visits to children’s hospitals, and numerous other activities prior to the game, which will be played in Tropicana Field. Nearly 300 NFL scouts are expected at the Shrine Game, which will kick off at 2 p.m. The NFL Network will air the game.
Holden will be the sixth Commodore to play in the East-West Shrine Game in the last five years, joining tight end Steven Scheu and safety Andrew Williamson in 2016, defensive back Andre Hal in 2014, and running back Zac Stacy and defensive back Trey Wilson in 2013.
Holden started all 13 games this year at left tackle, extending his consecutive starts streak to 25 games protecting the blind side of Commodore quarterbacks. He also has 10 starts at right tackle as a sophomore.
In 2016, Holden registered nearly 30 pancake blocks while facing some of the nation’s top defensive ends. Holden also earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in late November for his blocking performance in Vanderbilt’s impressive 38-17 victory over Ole Miss.
As a senior, Holden also accepted a greater leadership role on the Vanderbilt offensive front when projected starter Andrew Jelks went down with a season-ending leg injury for the second consecutive year.
Butler started all 13 games as a senior defensive tackle, leading the Commodore defense with four quarterback sacks. He also posted 31 total tackles and matched a career high with 7.5 tackles for loss.
Butler, who started on the defensive line in the BBVA Compass Bowl as a freshman and Camping World Independence Bowl as a senior, finished his four-year career with 9.5 quarterback sacks, 28 tackles for loss and 109 total tackles as a four-year letterwinner.