Western Illinois running back Markell Holman, a native of Philadelphia, is the team’s leading rusher in his first season in Macomb. He’s also WIU’s fourth-leading receiver. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
Western Illinois running back Markell Holman considers himself a picky eater.
How picky?
The Philadelphia native only likes one topping on his Philly cheesesteaks. And now that he lives in the Midwest, he won’t even try an iconic Chicago sandwich that is too much like a cheesesteak.
“Nah, I’ve never had an Italian beef,” he said.
In his first year with the Leathernecks, Holman has carried a heavy load with nearly 58% of the team’s rushing attempts and 15% of the receptions. On Monday, he was named the OVC-Big South Offensive Player of the Week after his 172-yard rushing effort in a win Saturday against Lindenwood.
Holman talks about his favorite number – and why he’s not wearing it at WIU this season – along with why Chicago accents are perplexing, where he’d like to live after college and his first youth football team, the Ivy Hill Saints.
Get to know all about Holman in our Moving the Chains Q&A series.
As someone who grew up Philadelphia, what do you miss about your hometown?
I just miss the city. I miss hearing the noise. And, of course, I miss my family because I’m kind of far from home.
If you were to take a teammate back home, what are three things you have to do?
First, we’re going to go get a cheesesteak. I’m a picky eater, so I don’t get too much on it. I just get ketchup. They’ve got to try that so they can see what a real cheesesteak is like. After that, we would go downtown and to King of Prussia Mall. Other than that, it depends what they want to do.
You’ve had many cheesesteaks in your life. Have you had an Italian beef sandwich, which is very popular in the Midwest?
Nah, I’ve never had an Italian beef. Whenever I’m outside Philadelphia and places have things that are supposed to be like a cheesesteak, or if it’s called a Philly cheesesteak, I don’t even eat it.
You’ve played a key role for WIU as the No. 1 running back this fall. What are you most proud of?
I think I’ve proven to myself that I can take the workload. We play the majority in one-back (formations), so there are games where I’m taking 60, 70 snaps. Sometimes, I still surprise myself. I really can stay in there for 60 to 70 snaps, whether it’s pass blocking, running, catching the ball. To me, it’s unheard of. A lot of schools play two or three backs. We’re just playing one. It’s been a big jump (in stamina).
What part of your game has improved the most over the past year?
I’d say in pass protection. I feel like I pick it up way faster than I did before. That’s something I’ve really improved on, picking up the fronts and stunts and movements (of a defense).
During your time at Lackawanna College, St. Francis and now Western, you’ve worn three different jersey numbers, including No. 6 at WIU. Do you have a favorite?
My favorite number is actually 7. That’s the number that runs in the family. I wore it (at Saint Francis). My older brother wore it, and my little brother. I’m not the type to complain. If it’s not available, I just say, ‘Give me a number. We’re going to rock out.’ I ask to see if it was available, but if it’s not there, I just say, ‘Listen, let’s just play ball.’
Of the three different schools you’ve played for, do you have a favorite uniform combination?
Not necessarily. I’m so locked in on the game that it doesn’t really matter what I wear. I just want to go ball.
Living in the Midwest, what impression do you have of the people here?
This is a little thing, but I think everybody sounds … weird. There’s a difference in the accents. It’s funny how people talk. There is really good hospitality here from the people that I’ve interacted with. Everybody is nice and willing to lend a hand.
Is there a certain accent that is hard to understand?
The Chicago accent. Just how some words flow, it sounds so funny. But people say the same thing about me when I’m speaking to them — that I sound funny and I don’t sound like I’m from around here.
What other sports did you play in high school, and did you have a favorite growing up?
I always played football. I did play basketball, but that was before high school. I knew once I got to high school that I just wanted to play football. That was always meant for me and my family. That’s been my go-to. I’ve been playing sports since I was 4. It’s all I know. I like the physicality of football, and there’s really no other sport that you can get that.
Do you remember the first team you played on?
I played for the Ivy Hill Saints in the Keystone League. It was a Pop Warner league in Philadelphia. We wore green and black at home, and for away games we wore white. We had the (New Orleans) Saints logo. I was looking up to my older siblings. All my brothers played football, and I used to look up to my older brother right above me. He played and I wanted to play too. When I first played, I was on the line, at guard. (Laughs)
Tell us about your family back home.
I was just raised by my mom. I knew my dad and I used to live with him for a little bit. I’d say I’m a momma’s boy. I love my mom to death. I always had her back. There are eight of us. I have five brothers and two sisters. I’m the third-youngest child. I have a younger sister and a younger brother.
I had a typical inner-city kid life. My mom did a lot for all of us. She worked a lot. She always made sure we were in sports. Everybody did some type of special activity. My brothers played sports, then I played sports. They tell me the football has been in my hands when I came out of the womb. (Laughs)
I moved around a lot. I’ve been in Philly my whole life, but when I got to high school, my mom moved to Delaware. I stayed with her for high school, but I bounced around. She moved a lot because of financial reasons.
If you had a dream place to settle, where would it be?
As much as I love the city of Philadelphia, I feel like I’ve got to leave the city. One thing about college and me moving around then coming to the Midwest, I feel like there’s so much more to life. I want to experience that. I don’t really have a dream place. But I want to be on the West Coast. I’ve been to California before.
What do you do with your free time?
I like to travel as much as I can. I like to go to different states. At home, I’ve probably hit every state on the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Maryland. I’m a big movie guy. My favorite is comedy and action movies. I also got into clothes because one of my close friends started a clothing brand. I like looking at clothes and thrifting.
Have you traveled much since you’ve been at WIU?
I haven’t really been out that much. We have been locked into football. I explored Chicago a little bit.
If you could switch places for a day with any player or coach at Western, who would it be?
That’s a good question. I’d probably be Coach Davis for a day. (Laughs) I just want to see his routine, even though he’s probably got a lot on his plate. I would like to run things.
You’ve played football for a long time, what are some of the biggest life lessons that the game has taught you?
The main thing I take from it is that hard work pays off. You’ve got to be patient and love the grind and the process. There are going to be ups and downs and times when you don’t think things are going to work out. But if you keep doing what you’re supposed to do — here at Western we call it ‘mastering the mundane.’ You’ve got to keep pushing.
And just the discipline. That’s one thing you’re going to need in life.
You recently had your bye week. What does that look like in a football program?
We did the first three days (Monday, Tuesday and Tuesday) like we would do in any other week. We had three or four days off. We were able to get some rest. We came right back to it the next Monday.
Some people took the time to go home since we’ve been at it since June. I just prioritized rest. It’s been a long season.
After a game, do you have a favorite meal?
Not really. I do like when we get Chick-fil-A, though. (Laughs)
If you’re having a tough day, who are the guys who can make you smile and laugh?
I’d say the running back room first. We’ve always got good vibes. There are a lot of laughs and jokes. We’ve got a good relationship. It feels more like brothers than friends.
Outside of the room, I’d say Brandon Lanier, the tight end. I relate to him well. We have good conversations. I’d also say (freshman quarterback) Cason Carswell. He’s real funny. He has me laughing a lot.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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