Sam Holcomb makes it easy to forget that he’s a freshman quarterback for Brother Rice.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Holcomb combines a startling precociousness with a moxie that has already shattered expectations. And how young he really is doesn’t matter on the field.
He looks the part. He plays the part.
“Coming in here, my mindset was really to just do what I could to help the team and do the best I could in practice,” he said. “I’ve accepted everything and continued, even from our losses.”
Holcomb kept the Crusaders on a winning path Friday, throwing two touchdown passes and running for a TD in a 47-0 win over host DePaul Prep in a Catholic League crossover in Chicago.
Already sporting offers from Illinois and Michigan, Holcomb has provided a huge spark offensively for Brother Rice (6-2. 1-1), according to senior receiver Lucas Strang
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.“His leadership at such a young age has been incredible to work with and we feed off his energy,” Strang said of Holcomb. “Ever since the summer, what caught my eye is how disciplined he is.
“He’s always listening to coaches and willing to learn. He continues to show up for his team every day.”
it has led to a four-game winning streak heading into Friday’s regular-season finale against Marist. Brother Rice coach Casey Quedenfeld confirmed Holcomb has exceeded high expectations.
“He’s a very committed young player,” Quedenfeld said. “He has done everything we’ve asked him to do. He has great passion and dedication, and on top of that, he’s got a great work ethic.”
Holcomb broke out with four TDs on Sept. 25 as the Crusaders rallied for a 35-24 Catholic League Blue win over Mount Carmel.
“That was the game where a lot of things came together,” he said. “That was a huge test for me, mentally and physically. They were big and athletic. I had to lock in and focus.
“I felt like I did a pretty good job of that.”
Holcomb’s numbers this season are staggering, punctuated by completing nearly 72% of his passes. As gifted as he is with his arm, he’s averaging 10.6 yards a carry with nine rushing TDs.
Most impressively, he thrown 16 TDs without an interception.
“I think I’m very good on the move and escaping the pocket,” Holcomb said. “I have great vision. I can read a defense pretty well. I know how to escape pressure and make an off-platform throw.”
Holcomb exhibited fearlessness at a young age. Since he was bigger than most kids, the first position he played in youth football was offensive tackle.
His father, Greg, who played football in college at Wisconsin-Oshkosh, is his son’s mentor. And Sam quickly discovered his true place on the field.
“I grew up watching my dad and watching the Bears play on TV,” he said. “Once I started training with my dad, I really fell in love with the quarterback position. It’s tough, mentally and physically.
“I think I’ve always had that ability to come out of my comfort zone.”
Holcomb has a younger sister, and his interests outside the game reveal other facets of his personality. He has a penchant for drawing. Like most teenagers, he’s a video game enthusiast.
His early competitive instincts were honed in battles with his equally intense father.
“When I was younger, he’d whoop me pretty badly whenever we played video games and I would get so mad,” Sam said. “At some point, it switched and I started beating him.
“I’ve always had that drive.”
That type of interaction has been crucial for Holcomb in developing a bond with the returnees from Brother Rice’s Class 7A state championship team.
“I didn’t really know any of these guys and I had to come out of my shell,” he said. “I learned the best way to do that was being humble, putting my head down and taking advantage of every chance possible.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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