FAU freshman Avery Holley will be one of seven NCAA Division-I athletes that will attempt to play both football and basketball in the same season. Holley will be the first player at FAU to attempt this feat.

While playing football at Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Holley scored 14 touchdowns. During his senior year of high school basketball he averaged 21 points per game and was named the 6A Class Broward Male High School Player of the Year for Broward County. He also was an all-state football and basketball honoree. Holley was recruited by Akron, the University of Miami and Georgia Tech, before electing to stay closer to home at FAU.

So far this season, Avery Holley has seen action in every football game for FAU. His touchdown catch at Louisiana-Monroe led the way for FAU to capture its third ever Sun Belt Conference win. On the basketball court, Holley plans to play point guard. FAU men’s basketball Head Coach Rex Walters is eagerly awaiting Holley’s arrival. Holley should fit well in the Owls push-the-ball-up-the-court mindset.

On the football field, Holley has been one of more than 10 players to catch passes for FAU. His breakaway speed should enable Holley to be a force to reckon with in future FAU seasons. So far, this season Holley has 17 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns. His two touchdowns are at the top of the list for FAU wide receivers. During the win at North Texas, Holley had a key 17-yard catch that moved FAU deeper into the opponent’s territory. The coaches have vested a ton of confidence in Holley’s ability. He rarely drops passes and tends to make yards after the catch. He probably has seen more playing time this year than any other freshman on FAU’s 2006 football team.

At 6 feet tall and only 150 pounds, Holley has shown amazing durability in staying injury free in a grueling 12-game football season. He’s a truly amazing talent that Owl football and basketball fans will be enjoying for years to come.