British Olympian Lawrence Okoye is not the only new NFL player who barely has played football. The Baltimore Ravens signed Murphy Holloway out of Ole Miss despite the fact that Holloway hasn't played football since his sophomore year in high school.
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In Holloway, the Ravens continue the NFL's impossible quest to find the next Antonio Gates off the basketball court. Holloway averaged 14.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game for Ole Miss last season, leading the Rebels to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
He was hoping to make the NBA, but it wasn't panning out. The 6-foot-7, 250-pounder then started to get interest from NFL scouts.
"I talked to some of the scouts about football, so I thought about it, and I figure I'd give it a shot," Holloway told the Russell Street Report's Kyle Casey.
According to Casey, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs also wanted to sign Holloway, but the Ravens had the best plan for him at tight end. Holloway even reached out to Gates to get some tips on making the transition.
The Ravens are set up well at tight end with Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson this season. If Holloway panned out, he could spend a year on the team's practice squad while re-learning the game.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
