Grant Holloway, a speedster from Virginia, will take his official visit to UGA for the South Carolina game on Sept. 19.
“That’s the best time my family and I can get away from Virginia and also go through a full school tour and also feel the atmosphere of the Bulldogs,” he said. “If you didn’t know the Bulldogs are definitely in my top four and I’d definitely say my top three if you wanted to put it like that.”
UGA has four receiver commitments for 2016 and might take at least two more. The receiver spot is a huge need. UGA is also recruiting wideouts rated a lot higher than him, but Holloway knows how much the Bulldogs want his 4.29 speed in the 40.
“UGA has told me a lot of things,” Holloway said. “The head track coach told me on the track side I can definitely make an impact. But on the football side (UGA receivers coach Bryan McClendon) actually came to my school because he was so interested in my athletic ability. He definitely said I could be a vertical threat and a playmaker for Georgia and excel on and off the field. That really did mean a lot to me when he said that.”
The 3-star recruit from Virginia’s Grassfield High School said McClendon made it clear it doesn’t matter how many commitments UGA has, he’d love to have him.
“McClendon said I was not only wanted at receiver at Georgia but that I was also needed,” Holloway said. “That was neat. No other school did that for me, but I am still blessed to have every one of these opportunities.”
His top four schools are UGA, Florida, Oregon and Virginia Tech. Holloway wants to run track in the spring and play football in the fall. UGA and his home state Hokies are the only schools that offered the chance at both.
Florida and Oregon have only offered track scholarships. Each school is still evaluating him in football.
What happens if those offers come?
“It wouldn’t change my decision that much,” Holloway said. “I know who saw the potential in me at an earlier stage. It will just be another offer I’d be blessed to have.”
Virginia Tech offered him when he was a freshman. UGA offered him in the spring of 2014. He said he’ll remember who was on him early when he commits in “October or November.”
He’s only planning to take just four official visits at the most. He won’t need an official to Virginia Tech. He’s been to Blacksburg at least 10 times, he said.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior plays cornerback, running back and receiver. He’ll also return punts and kicks. Holloway has been playing football for nine years.
“My mentality is when I step foot on the field or on the track there’s nobody better than me at that moment,” he said. “So if you have more stars or more catches than me it does not matter at the end of the day. I don’t believe anyone is better than me.”
Holloway had three efforts during track season which ranked among the Top 12 nationally — even though he was a junior. He can clear seven feet in the high jump and had the nation’s best prep long jump at 25 feet, 8.75 inches. He’s the co-holder of the national prep record in the indoor 55-meter hurdles and was the national champion in the 60 meters in the hurdles.
Is his goal the Olympics? Or the NFL?
“My goal is to first get into one of the colleges I want to go to and then from there wherever God takes me on that path,” said Holloway, who says his faith is a driving force in his life. “I don’t want to limit myself on my goals because goals are things you set and you achieve and then what’s left afterward? I don’t want to set goals that may limit myself.”
Jeff Sentell covers UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.
