George Holani Explained: The Engine of Boise State
Dive deep into what makes George Holani the engine of Boise State football. We break down his unique running style, on-field impact, and legacy on the Blue.
Marco Valles
Former D-III athlete and lifelong college football analyst with a focus on G5 talent.
George Holani Explained: The Engine of Boise State
In the world of college football, certain players are more than just a name on a roster; they are the very heartbeat of their team. For the Boise State Broncos, that player is running back George Holani. He isn't just the guy who carries the ball—he's the engine that powers the entire offensive machine on the iconic blue turf.
But what makes him so special? It’s not just about highlight-reel runs or gaudy statistics. It’s about a unique combination of vision, power, and versatility that makes him one of the most complete and impactful backs in the country. To truly understand Boise State football, you have to understand George Holani.
Who is George Holani?
Before he was carving up defenses in the Mountain West, George Holani was a highly-touted prospect from Bellflower, California. He honed his skills at St. John Bosco, a national high school football powerhouse known for producing elite Division I talent. Competing against the best players in the country day in and day out prepared him for the rigors of college football long before he ever set foot on a university campus.
Despite offers from several Pac-12 programs, Holani chose Boise State, a program with a rich history of developing NFL-caliber running backs like Doug Martin, Jay Ajayi, and Jeremy McNichols. He saw an opportunity to be the next great back in that lineage, and from the moment he arrived, it was clear the Broncos had found their next workhorse.
The Holani Running Style: A Blend of Power and Patience
Watching Holani run is like watching a master craftsman at work. There's an efficiency and intelligence to his movement that separates him from backs who rely solely on raw athleticism. His style is a carefully balanced cocktail of three key ingredients.
1. Vision and Patience
This is arguably Holani's greatest asset. Many running backs see a hole and hit it with everything they have. Holani sees the entire field. He possesses an uncanny patience behind the line of scrimmage, allowing his offensive line to establish their blocks and for lanes to develop. It’s a skill often described as “letting the play come to him.”
You’ll often see him take the handoff and seem to almost hesitate for a split second. That’s not indecision; it’s processing. In that fraction of a second, he’s reading his keys, anticipating the flow of the defense, and identifying the optimal cutback lane. This allows him to turn a play that looks destined for a two-yard gain into a six or seven-yard chunk, consistently keeping the offense ahead of the chains.
2. Deceptive Power
At 5'11" and around 210 pounds, Holani doesn't have the monstrous frame of a Derrick Henry. But make no mistake, he runs with immense power. His strength is centered in his lower body, giving him exceptional balance and the ability to break through arm tackles with ease. He is rarely, if ever, brought down by the first defender.
This “deceptive” power is most evident in short-yardage situations and after contact. Holani always falls forward, churning his legs to pick up those crucial extra one or two yards that can be the difference between a first down and a punt. Defenders who assume a shoulder tackle will suffice often find themselves on the ground watching Holani jog back to the huddle.
3. Versatility in the Passing Game
In modern football, a running back who can't contribute in the passing game is a liability. This is another area where Holani excels, making him a true three-down back. He’s not just a check-down option; he’s a legitimate receiving threat.
He runs crisp routes out of the backfield and has soft, reliable hands. This forces defenses to account for him on every single snap. They can’t just assume he’s staying in to block on a passing down. This versatility serves as a critical safety valve for his quarterback and creates mismatches against slower linebackers, adding another complex layer to the Boise State offense.
More Than Just Stats: Holani's Impact on the Field
To measure Holani’s value in yards and touchdowns alone would be to miss the point entirely. His presence fundamentally changes how Boise State operates and how opponents must prepare.
Controlling the Game: A reliable running game is the ultimate tool for controlling the tempo of a football game. With Holani, Boise State can sustain long, clock-chewing drives that wear down the opposing defense and keep their own defense rested and fresh. This physical, methodical approach is the Broncos' identity, and Holani is the one who executes it.
Unlocking the Playbook: The threat of Holani’s running forces defenses to commit extra players to the box. When a safety creeps up to stop the run, it creates one-on-one matchups on the outside for the wide receivers. The entire play-action passing game, a staple of the Boise State offense, is built on the foundation of a credible run threat. Without Holani, those deep shots downfield become far more difficult to execute.
Resilience and Leadership: Holani has battled through injuries during his career, but his toughness and determination to return to the field have cemented his role as a leader. He leads by example, showcasing a quiet professionalism and a relentless work ethic. When your best player is also one of your hardest workers, it elevates the entire locker room.
Holani's Place in Boise State History
The conversation about the greatest running backs in Boise State history is a fierce one, filled with legendary names. Where does George Holani fit in? While his career is still being written, he has firmly placed himself in the top tier alongside the likes of Ian Johnson, Doug Martin, and Jay Ajayi.
What defines his legacy is consistency. He's been the unwavering constant, the reliable engine through coaching changes and quarterback transitions. While others may have had more explosive individual seasons, Holani's sustained production and all-around skill set make him a unique and vital piece of the program's history.
He is the embodiment of the blue-collar, chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that defines Boise State. He may not always be the flashiest, but he is always effective. He is the engine, and as he goes, so go the Broncos.