Georgia lands In-State 4-Star RB Elijah Holyfield
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The long string of outstanding tailbacks that have matriculated through the University of Georgia over the many decades received a verbal promise to help continue that trend on Friday when Elijah Holyfield committed to the Bulldogs.
Holyfield has been on college recruiters boards since his freshman season when he rushed for 645 yards on 66 carries with 10 scores. In 2013 he rushed 97 times for 594 yards with eight scores continuing his projection as a high-end recruit. During his junior campaign he became a more complete back carrying the ball 264 times for 1,735 yards with 25 scores. He also became a threat in the passing game hauling in 27 passes for 289 yards with three more scores.
The Woodward Academy star has over 30 overs from programs like Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Michigan Cal, Florida, Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Miami. Outwardly, the top three schools have been Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Holyfield, son of boxing legend Evander Holyfield, committed to Georgia with a pair of Bulldogs. The UGA storyline goes deeper with the dogs being named “Girly” and “Chubb”, an homage to Georgia’s 2014 running backs.
Georgia now has 17 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class. Holyfield is the only running back committed to the class. The Bulldogs’ staff has landed 13 in-state players with the potential to land several more top Peach State talent. Demetris Robertson, Derrick Brown, Mecole Hardman, Nigel Warrior, Michail Carter, and Antwuan Jackson all remain uncommitted at this time.
Georgia 2016 Verbal Commitment List
CB Chad Clay, 5’11, 170 lbs, Peactree Ridge HS, Suwanee, GA
CB Tyrique McGhee, 5’10”, 170 lbs, Peach County HS, Fort Valley, GA
CB Malek Young, 5’9”, 172 lbs, Coconut Creek HS, Coconut Creek, FL
DE Chauncey Manac, 6’3”, 252 lbs, Clinch County, Homerville, GA
DT Tyler Clark, 6’3”, 290 lbs, Americus Sumter, Americus, GA
DT Julian Rochester, 6’5”, 327 lbs, McEachern, Powder Springs, GA
LB Jaleel Laguins, 6’1”, 210 lbs, Oconee County, Watkinsville, GA
OG Chris Barnes, 6’3”, 274 lbs, Lee County, Leesburg, GA
OG Aaron Dowdell, 6’3”, 305 lbs, Creekside HS, Atlanta, GA
OT Ben Cleveland, 6’6”, 327 lbs, Stephens County, Toccoa, GA
QB Jacob Eason, 6’5”, 207 lbs, Lake Stevens HS, Lake Stevens, WA
RB Elijah Holyfield, 5’10”, 200 lbs, Woodward Academy, College Park, GA
TE Gattett Walston, 6’4”, 220 lbs, New Hanover HS, Wilmington, NC
TE Charlie Woerner, 6’5”, 220 lbs, Rabun County HS, Tiger, GA
WR Darion Anderson, 6’1”, 170 lbs, Houston County, Warner Robins, GA
WR Davion Curtis, 6’0”, 180 lbs, Temple HS, Temple, TX
WR Randrecous Davis, 5’11”, 180 lbs, Mays HS, Atlanta, GA
Photo credit: ajc.com; Elijah Holyfield at a Georgia camp.