Holton Ahlers

Holton Maddux Ahlers (born November 10, 1999) is an American football quarterback for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL).

He played college football for East Carolina.

Ahlers is the career leader in passing yards, total offensive yards, passing touchdowns, touchdowns responsible for, completions, pass attempts, and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in East Carolina history.

Ahlers was born on November 10, 1999, in Greenville, North Carolina.

He attended and played football, baseball, and basketball for D.H. Conley High School in Greenville.

He was a four-year starter and a team captain as he led D.H. Conley to four straight playoff appearances and three conference titles.

During his time as a starter he was one of North Carolina High School Athletic Association's (NCHSAA) most prolific passers as he finished as the third all-time leader in passing yards with 11,198.

He also finished second all-time in total offensive yards with 14,784.

While also being third all-time in passing yards, he was also third in touchdowns responsible for with 201, passing touchdowns with 145 and fifth and sixth respectively in pass completions with 670 and pass attempts with 1,157.

He was a three-time First-Team All-Conference selection, two-time Conference Player of the Year, two-time Greenville Daily Reflector's First-Team All-Conference, and received the Raleigh News & Observer All-Metro Quarterback honors.

As a sophomore in 2015, Ahlers threw for 2,457 yards and ran for 1,142 and was named team MVP and earned All-County honors.

He accounted for 42 total touchdowns.

As a junior in 2016, Ahlers was an Associated Press All-State choice and a 252 ESPN Radio Player of the Year as he gained 5,414 total yards and 66 total touchdowns.

Through the air he threw for 51 touchdowns while only throwing nine interceptions.

He also rushed for 911 yards and an additional fifteen touchdowns.

Against C.B. Aycock in an 83–68 victory he set the single-game total offense record of 618 yards, beating the previous record that was set a week prior against J.H. Rose in a 67–77 loss.

As a senior in 2017, Ahlers and the Vikings finished 11–2 and a 3A/4A conference title, finishing 6–0 in conference play, and an appearance in the state playoffs.

That season he earned the honors as Raleigh News & Observer Player of the Year and Greenville Daily Reflector's First-Team All-State honors.

He accounted for 75 total touchdowns, which was good enough for second all-time in a season.

He finished the season going 223 of 358 passing for 3,763 yards and 61 passing touchdowns to only four interceptions.

He added 933 rushing yards and fourteen touchdowns on the ground as well.

Out of thirteen games, he surpassed the 300-yard mark in six, including a season-high 464 against West Craven.

After the season he was also named as the Pitt County Post Offensive Player of the Year and received an invite to the Shrine Bowl where he won most valuable player.

Ahlers was a consensus three-star recruit among the major recruiting databases.

He was recruited by many colleges including: Colorado State, Minnesota, NC State, and West Virginia before on January 30, 2017, he committed to East Carolina.

In 2018, Ahlers played in ten games and started five.

He did not play against North Carolina A&T in the season opener, but made his college football debut in week two against North Carolina.

He would attempt one pass which was incomplete but was a large contributor on the ground.

He ran eight times for 36 yards and two touchdowns, the first of which coming in the second quarter to give the Pirates the lead of the Tar Heels.

His second came early in the fourth as the game was already out of reach for North Carolina, East Carolina went on to win 41–19.

The team's game against Virginia Tech was canceled and he played sparingly against South Florida, Old Dominion, and Temple.

Against Houston, after starter Reid Herring and backup Kingsley Ifedi were benched due to poor play, Ahlers came in while down 35–6 early in the fourth.

Despite being down big against D'Eriq King, Ahlers led East Carolina to two scoring drives, both of which touchdowns by him, as he finished the game eleven of eighteen for 137 yards and a touchdown alongside being the team's leading rusher with 45 yards on five attempts and a touchdown.

He would earn his first career start against UCF the next week.

Despite losing 10–37, he would play the entire game going 29 of 53 for 406 yards and a touchdown and interceptions.

He started the following four weeks against Memphis, Tulane, UConn, and Cincinnati.

Against Memphis, even though he lost 41–59, Ahlers had three touchdown passes and scored the most points of the season to that point since week two against North Carolina.

After losing to Tulane 18–24 the next week, he would lead the team to its third and final win on the season against UConn.

Against the Huskies he went 22 of 31 for 242 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.

He added 130 rushing yards and another touchdown on twelve carries.