Jeremiah Holloman was at a satellite camp run by Michigan and UGA coaches Thursday in Atlanta just as a spectator. He showed up near the end of the camp.
That was interesting. He was once committed to Michigan but has maintained since G-Day that UGA is his leader.
The question of the day for Holloman was to gauge his thoughts on Georgia after the program accepted another commitment at receiver for 2017 from Matt Landers on Wednesday. That’s the third commitment at his position.
“I was just excited for him to make the choice to go to Georgia,” Holloman said.
Let’s place that discussion in the proper perspective. Holliman, a cousin to recent UGA first-round NFL Draft pick Leonard Floyd — discussed the numbers game at receiver for UGA and how he might fit in on May 19.
The Newton High School senior (Covington, Ga.) said UGA receivers coach James Coley has made one point very clear.
“He tells me that there are a lot of guys who are looking forward to coming to Georgia this year but at the end of the day he wants me to be the one who comes there and plays for him,” Holloman said. “We can start something new at Georgia. Me and him and (2017 UGA receiver commit) Trey Blount.”
Did he feel back then that UGA would hold a scholarship for him until he makes up his mind?
“I somewhat have that feeling but at the end of the day, I know that if I don’t step up in time then somebody else may step up to it.”
Holloman said that he feels Georgia has a strong relationship with him that if they reached their limit they would reach out and let him know.
“They would get in touch with me before they let that one go and see where my head is it,” Holloman said. “I think they would do that for me.”
He said if that would take place, that would something he would keep in mind when going through his decision process.
The discussion on that same topic Thursday was just as relevant. If the limit for wide receiver commits in the Class of 2017 for UGA number is still four, then there is a long line to be the final member of that quartet. Trey Bishop, Nico Collins and Mark Webb are also prime contenders for that final slot.
It might evolve into a matter of being the first man to step up, either with a public or private commitment.
“I still feel open,” Holloman said. “I am not feeling any pressure or anything. I am just keeping an open mind and trying to take my time through my process.”
He said that he still believes Georgia will just take four receivers for the Class of 2017.
“Now they have three (receivers committed) right now,” he said. “I know now we have talked and they have told me that they want me to take that final spot. I am not sure if they have told me yet that if those spots fill up that I would have to look elsewhere. I feel that with the way we communicate and the connection that I have at Georgia that they would still be open to me even if they did fill up that final spot.”
So that number might be actually be five. But Holloman’s skills and ceiling as a potential first-round NFL draft pick might make him the ideal plus-one. That connection is just one big reason why UGA still leads for him, but there are several others.
“Having the 95,000 fans at home and just being here at home for me there is something special about that,” said Holloman, who will run track in college no matter where he goes. “They are building something special and something to look forward to. I know they are going to bring a championship to Athens soon. I know that. Even if I am not there, I know that.”
The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder talks to the current UGA commits all the time.
“They are just telling me how I could be a piece that really fits the puzzle,” he said.
He brought up two elements when asked the biggest reason why UGA stands out to him.
“Just the family atmosphere and how everyone there that is going there are all chasing the same thing,” Holloman said. “They are all chasing that next championship.”
He’s still taking his time. His father recently visited Georgia and that was a big step in his process of weighing out every option. Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn are after him the hardest.
Holloman said that Auburn and Tennessee are the next two schools in his current pecking order after the Bulldogs. But he doesn’t know which one would be his No. 2.
The Volunteers are making a massive investment of time in his recruiting. He said that he hears more from Tennessee receivers coach Zach Azzanni than any other recruiter. Tennessee also recruits his family with as much intensity as any program.
Butch Jones also reaches out to him more than any other head coach of the programs which are recruiting him.
“We speak every day,” Holloman said of Jones.
Holliman, who is rated as the nation’s No. 25 receiver for this year’s class, also said that Kirby Smart has been after him since he was at Alabama.
“He also tells me that I am a big piece of the puzzle at Georgia,” he said.
It seems like things are always moving fast with Holloman. He is also a two-time state champion triple jumper with SEC potential in that sport, too.
“I am going to make the best decision for me at the end of the day when the time is right,” Holloman said. “I could commit at any time. Whenever I feel the time is right.”
Holloman was also named to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl roster on Thursday. It was a significant achievement for a player who didn’t really command any major recruiting attention and had zero offers last April.
Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and 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. Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.