Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Holt ready to shine in his final year
5/20/2020 5:00:00 PM | Football, BRAA
MURFREESBORO - For a player whose name litters the Middle Tennessee football record book, place-kicker Crews Holt has yet to reach his full potential.
Strong words considering Holt is among Middle Tennessee's Top 10 for career field goals made, points scored by kicking, career PATs and the redshirt senior is just 49 points shy of breaking into the all-time Top 10 for scoring regardless of position.
Breaking records and placing himself among the best use to be high on Holt's priority list but those times have changed.
"Coming into college I think everyone's goal is to break records and be one of the best at your position," Holt said. "My dream was to be the all-time leader in points and field goals but as I got older I started to look past that. Now I just try to focus on being the best kicker and teammate I can be and just help the team win games.
"I tried aiming for that more last year. I didn't make as many field goals as the year before, but I felt I had a better year."
Entering his final season as a Blue Raider specialist, Holt has already placed himself amongst the best at his position. The Brentwood, Tenn., native is tied for eighth on the career field goals list with 30 and his 165 career points are 10th on the all-time list for points scored by kicking.
Holt, the son of Alan and Donna Holt, etched his name at the top of the single-game list for field goals made when he was a perfect 5-of-5 against rival WKU in 2018, which was also second most in C-USA history. Holt's 17 points scored in the win over WKU also equaled the most by a kicker in Blue Raider history. He also was a perfect 4-of-4 in the C-USA Championship game against UAB in 2018, which is tied for third most in a single game.
His 18 makes in 2018 tied Alan Gendreau for most in a single season and his 94 points scored in 2018 was ninth on the single-season scoring list and third-most ever for a Blue Raider place-kicker.
"I'm proud of what I have done so far," Holt said. "There's field goals I have missed that I would want back, but I still don't think I have played my best season. I've had a couple of good years, but I don't think I've reached my potential yet."
Blue Raider Head Football Coach Rick Stockstill has seen the fifth-year kicker mature and become a reliable source of offense during his career.
"Crews has grown as a player and is an accountable teammate," Stockstill said. "He has the trust of his teammates and coaches and that comes through hard work and putting team before self. Crews works hard at his craft and that is why he has developed into one of the best to play here and there have been some great ones. I'm proud of him and his maturity."
Holt credits former teammate Canon Rooker as a mentor. When Holt entered Middle Tennessee as a highly-regarded prospect out of Ravenwood High School in 2016 the strong-legged kicker aspired of starting as a freshman.
Holt and Rooker, a junior, battled through an intense fall competition before Rooker essentially emerged as the starter.
"Looking back the biggest blessing for me was to redshirt behind Canon," Holt said. "Canon was such a great mentor. I thought I knew work ethic, but Canon showed me how hard you have to work to be great. He has meant a lot to me and has become such a good friend."
Holt is tied with Rooker for eighth on the all-time field goals list with 30 entering the 2020 season.
Holt's mental approach is as important as his physical strength. He has developed both during an exceptional career.
Though he would much rather jog onto the field for extra points than field goals, Holt strives to be on the field with the game on the line. He has prepared himself for such moments.
"That's really where I strive," Holt said. "I feel better in games than when I am out there kicking by myself (at practice). I love being under that pressure and that's what brings out the best in me. I would much rather my teammates get into the endzone, but I love being in that position if the game is on the line. I hope to have that chance. I'm ready for it."
Season tickets can be ordered on-line at GoBlueRaiders.com/tickets.
Pricing for the 2020 season includes:
$140 for Chair backs
$120 for Sideline Reserved
$99 for End zone Reserved
$99 for Group Sideline Reserved (20+)
$85 for Group End zone Reserved (20+)
Strong words considering Holt is among Middle Tennessee's Top 10 for career field goals made, points scored by kicking, career PATs and the redshirt senior is just 49 points shy of breaking into the all-time Top 10 for scoring regardless of position.
Breaking records and placing himself among the best use to be high on Holt's priority list but those times have changed.
"Coming into college I think everyone's goal is to break records and be one of the best at your position," Holt said. "My dream was to be the all-time leader in points and field goals but as I got older I started to look past that. Now I just try to focus on being the best kicker and teammate I can be and just help the team win games.
"I tried aiming for that more last year. I didn't make as many field goals as the year before, but I felt I had a better year."
Entering his final season as a Blue Raider specialist, Holt has already placed himself amongst the best at his position. The Brentwood, Tenn., native is tied for eighth on the career field goals list with 30 and his 165 career points are 10th on the all-time list for points scored by kicking.
Holt, the son of Alan and Donna Holt, etched his name at the top of the single-game list for field goals made when he was a perfect 5-of-5 against rival WKU in 2018, which was also second most in C-USA history. Holt's 17 points scored in the win over WKU also equaled the most by a kicker in Blue Raider history. He also was a perfect 4-of-4 in the C-USA Championship game against UAB in 2018, which is tied for third most in a single game.
His 18 makes in 2018 tied Alan Gendreau for most in a single season and his 94 points scored in 2018 was ninth on the single-season scoring list and third-most ever for a Blue Raider place-kicker.
"I'm proud of what I have done so far," Holt said. "There's field goals I have missed that I would want back, but I still don't think I have played my best season. I've had a couple of good years, but I don't think I've reached my potential yet."
Blue Raider Head Football Coach Rick Stockstill has seen the fifth-year kicker mature and become a reliable source of offense during his career.
"Crews has grown as a player and is an accountable teammate," Stockstill said. "He has the trust of his teammates and coaches and that comes through hard work and putting team before self. Crews works hard at his craft and that is why he has developed into one of the best to play here and there have been some great ones. I'm proud of him and his maturity."
Holt credits former teammate Canon Rooker as a mentor. When Holt entered Middle Tennessee as a highly-regarded prospect out of Ravenwood High School in 2016 the strong-legged kicker aspired of starting as a freshman.
Holt and Rooker, a junior, battled through an intense fall competition before Rooker essentially emerged as the starter.
"Looking back the biggest blessing for me was to redshirt behind Canon," Holt said. "Canon was such a great mentor. I thought I knew work ethic, but Canon showed me how hard you have to work to be great. He has meant a lot to me and has become such a good friend."
Holt is tied with Rooker for eighth on the all-time field goals list with 30 entering the 2020 season.
Holt's mental approach is as important as his physical strength. He has developed both during an exceptional career.
Though he would much rather jog onto the field for extra points than field goals, Holt strives to be on the field with the game on the line. He has prepared himself for such moments.
"That's really where I strive," Holt said. "I feel better in games than when I am out there kicking by myself (at practice). I love being under that pressure and that's what brings out the best in me. I would much rather my teammates get into the endzone, but I love being in that position if the game is on the line. I hope to have that chance. I'm ready for it."
Season tickets can be ordered on-line at GoBlueRaiders.com/tickets.
Pricing for the 2020 season includes:
$140 for Chair backs
$120 for Sideline Reserved
$99 for End zone Reserved
$99 for Group Sideline Reserved (20+)
$85 for Group End zone Reserved (20+)
Players Mentioned
PK
/ FootballDerek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 5 (Video)
Monday, September 22
MTSU Football Weekly Press Conference 9/22/25
Monday, September 22
Blue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - September 20th
Sunday, September 21
MTSU Football vs Marshall post-game conference - 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
