Wheeler's Holiday heading to Air Force

After a strong junior year at Wheeler, defensive lineman Ty Holiday announced his commitment to play at Air Force.

The 6-foot-1, 280-pound Holiday chose the Falcons over offers from other programs including Army, Buffalo, Navy, Kennesaw State, Mercer and Tennessee Tech.

“The love was there,” Holiday said. “It’s genuine love and, you know, they’re able to take their time in the recruiting process and break down everything how the school is and how it benefits you. You get to play Division I ball, and you get a good education, and then they take care of you, no matter what happens or what happens to you.”

Holiday will be joined on the academy’s vast campus by Allatoona linebacker Vinnie Canosa, who committed to Air Force earlier this week.

Holiday piled up 61 total tackles for Wheeler in 2021, including 52 solo and seven sacks, and he picked up second-team All-Region 6AAAAAA honors.

As Holiday prepares for his final season with the Wildcats, he plans to utilize his finesse and skill set as he prepares for the Mountain West Conference and the Football Bowl Subdivision.

“I have different moves and techniques that I can use on people so they don’t know what’s coming,” Holiday said. “That’s a big part of my plan — just continuing to stick to my game plan and use what I know in their playbook.”

With Wheeler set to play against difficult competition in its first season as a member of Region 5AAAAAAA, Holiday said that the strength of opponents that he faced will help prepare him to play at the next level.

“This region is full of talent,” Holiday said. “(Class) AAAAAAA (football) is the best in Georgia. You’ve got to bring your A-game, regardless of who you play or who’s in front of you.”

Holiday said that along with the opportunity to play football at the FBS level, the opportunity to have a job after graduation from the Air Force Academy helped him make his decision.

“You have a guaranteed job,” Holiday said. “I think that’s a no-brainer, in my opinion. It’s a great opportunity.”

Along with the opportunity to be employed after his college career, Holiday said having family members also in the military helped him make his decision.

“My great-grandpa and my paw-paw, they went the military route,” Holiday said. “That’s another part of why I chose this decision.”