In 2009 wide receiver Andre Holmes (‘10) and offensive lineman Jared Veldheer (‘10) were teammates on one of the most successful Hillsdale College football teams ever. It was a history-making season as the Chargers made the division II playoffs for the first time ever. Fast forward four years and the two former Chargers are playing alongside each other again in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders.
Veldheer has been playing for Oakland since they drafted him in the third round in 2010. Holmes was signed as a free agent by the Raiders this past offseason after spending time with the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots practice squads with little game action. He is poised to take on more of an impact role on the Raiders, as they are in need of wide receivers.
In July, Holmes was suspended by the commissioner for the first four games of the season for a violation of the NFL’s banned substance policy. Holmes tested positive for an amphetamine in April which led to the suspension.
Although the Raiders are not projected to have a stellar season, it will be interesting and entertaining to see what these former college teammates can do when they are reunited once again on the biggest stage in football.
