KENNESAW, Ga. – Following the NFL Draft on Saturday evening, former Kennesaw State University running back Darnell Holland signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.
 
A 2018 AFCA All-America selection, Holland becomes the second former KSU player to sign with an NFL team after helping the Owls win their second straight Big South Conference championship last fall in just their fourth year of existence. He joins former Owl Dante Blackmon who signed with the Indianapolis Colts following the 2016 season.
 
"I am unbelievably excited for Darnell; he deserves this," said head coach Brian Bohannon. "This is a great fit for him with the Saints and we couldn't be happier for him."
 
As one of the most dynamic running backs in all of FCS, Holland took full advantage of KSU's triple option attack, rushing for 949 yards last year on just 80 attempts to average 11.9 yards per carry.
 
A lightning bolt in the backfield, Holland became just the second player in Big South history with 70-plus yard touchdown runs in back-to-back weeks when he accomplished the feat against Tennessee Tech and Alabama State during the 2018 season.
 
To go along with his nine rushing scores last year, Holland added two receiving touchdowns and led the team with 1,568 all-purpose yards, including running a kickoff back for a score. He finished his career with 2,431 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns.
 
The Bowdon, Georgia, native ended his college career as one of the most explosive players in program history, leading the Owls to back-to-back appearances in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs and 19 consecutive weeks ranked in the Top 25.

For more information on Kennesaw State athletics, follow @KennesawStFB on Twitter or like Kennesaw State Football on Facebook and Instagram.

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