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College Football 26 continues to reward players who understand ability point efficiency, roster synergy, and scheme balance. While raw speed still matters, the real meta revolves around discounted gold abilities, proper alignment, and maximizing value across your offense. That's exactly where San Antonio Holmes shines. At first glance, Holmes doesn't look like a must-have card. With 94 speed (95 on theme team), some players immediately write him off as "too slow" compared to the elite burners in the game. But once you dig into his ability discounts and how he fits into a structured offensive setup, it becomes clear why this card is far more dangerous than his speed rating suggests. Speed sells cards in CFB 26. That's just the reality. But Holmes proves that abilities matter more than raw attributes when used correctly. The biggest selling point of this card is access to: Gold Cutter for only 6 AP Gold Takeoff for 7 AP (discounted) That alone puts Holmes in a rare tier. Gold Cutter is one of the most impactful route-running abilities in the game, consistently creating separation on breaks, especially against man coverage. The fact that Holmes gets it at a discount allows you to spread elite abilities across multiple receivers instead of stacking everything on one player. This is where Holmes becomes a foundational piece rather than a flashy solo star. The Ability Setup That Makes This Card Special Holmes' release completely reshapes how you can allocate ability points across your offense. Here's the full setup that makes everything click: Outside Receivers / Trips Tight End San Antonio Holmes - Gold Cutter (6 AP) Travis Hunter - Gold Cutter (6 AP) This allows both inside and outside receivers to consistently win on routes without overspending AP. Slot Receiver Joey Galloway - Gold Takeoff (7 AP) With Holmes and Hunter handling route separation, Galloway becomes the vertical kill switch. Gold Takeoff in the slot is lethal, especially against press or mismatches. Tight End Martellus Bennett - Gold Cutter (6 AP) This is a huge advantage. Gold Cutter on a tight end creates nightmares in both man and zone, especially on drags, corners, and seams. Quarterback Andrew Luck - Gold Off Platform (5 AP) Off Platform is one of the best quarterback abilities in the game, and getting it at a discount allows the entire offense to function under pressure. The result? A perfectly balanced AP setup where no single player hogs resources, yet every key position has an elite ability. Playbook and Scheme Fit This offense runs through: Oklahoma State offensive playbook Miami defensive playbook Oklahoma State's spread concepts pair beautifully with Cutter and Takeoff. The offense thrives on: Trips formations Man-beaters Drag and corner route combinations Slot fades and streaks off Takeoff Holmes fits seamlessly into this structure, especially as an outside receiver who can also motion into favorable matchups. In-Game Performance: What Holmes Actually Does Well Once gameplay starts, Holmes quickly proves his value.
While players like Malik Washington may offer budget speed options, Holmes offers: Better ability efficiency More consistent route wins Greater overall offensive balance He's not meant to replace your burners-he complements them. Final Verdict: Is San Antonio Holmes Worth It? Absolutely. San Antonio Holmes may not be the flashiest card in College Football 26, but he is one of the smartest additions you can make to an ability-focused offense. His discounted gold abilities allow you to build a complete, layered attack without sacrificing depth.
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