Wesley Hollingshed Signs

MANHATTAN, Kan.- Wesley Hollingshed inks the paperwork to become a Kansas State Wildcat....

Wesley Hollingshed was the first junior college player to commit to Kansas State in early October. The sophomore defensive tackle, who played at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, made it official when he signed his letter of intent on December 21st. Hollingshed talks about it here...

"I was with with my Dad and brother in Atlanta," said Wesley Hollingshed. "We just mailed in the papers, and I spoke with the coaches afterward. It was kind of low-key."

Hollingshed took his official to Manhattan early in the Wildcat season, the weekend of the Kent State game. He had offers from Kansas, Marshall, and Mississippi State, but never took any other visits.

"I feel like I'm going to have a good chance to play right away at Kansas State," Hollingshed said on his decision. "When I was on my visit I enjoyed being in the community. I love the coaches. They're going to give their ball players all the attention and support they need to be successful. I came away with a really good vibe [on the visit] and felt like a good fit for me going forward in my career."

Hollingshed is looking for a stable environment. He played at three Georgia high schools, Peach County, Riverdale, and Norcross. After graduating from Norcross in '09 he signed with Nevada. He spent a redshirt season with the Wolfpack program before going to junior college.

"It humbled me," Hollingshed said of his experience at Trinity Valley. "It helped me appreciate the opportunity I have and not take anything for granted. Instead of me just going to play Division 1 and not thinking anything about it, I consider it a blessing. I loved it [at Trinity Valley]. I feel like I grew as a person while I was there."

Hollingshed was the starting defensive tackle/nose guard this season for the TVCC Cardinals. His 6-foot-2, 300-pound presence on the line helped his team finish first in the Southwest Conference in stopping the run.

"This year I took on more of a leadership role on the team," Hollingshed said. "I'm not sure what my stats were, but I had between 30 and 40 tackles. I had better awareness on the field and quickness getting to the ball. My knowledge of the game has totally helped me in becoming a better all-around player."

The Cardinals made it to the Citizen's Bank Bowl in Pittsburg, Kansas, but fell to Bulter Community College, 21-17. Hollingshed has now graduated and is set to report to school on January 15th. He's ready to get to work with his new position coach, Mo Latimore.

"He's an awesome guy," said Hollingshed on Latimore. "I feel like his knowledge of the game as well as the experience he's had playing it makes him a great person to learn from. It's a real good fit for me. My goal is to be better than I was the day before. I think he'll help me be able to do that and be able to lock down that number one spot in the spring."

Hollingshed will have two years of eligibility remaining at Kansas State. During his official visit to Manhattan his host was a player he may end up replacing on the depth chart, senior defensive tackle Ray Kibble, who also went the JuCo route before joining the Wildcat program. Older Newer