Georgia football great Terrence Edwards, college football world reacts to dismissal of Georgia receiver JJ Holloman

Georgia wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman was dismissed from the team on Friday.

Connor Riley/DawgNation

Posted 4 months ago

Georgia football dismissed wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman from the program on Friday after a police investigation learned that he had allegedly struck a woman in April of 2018.

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart issued a statement regarding Holloman’s dismissal from the program.

“Jeremiah Holloman no longer represents the University of Georgia football program,” Smart said. “We expect every member of our team to uphold the highest standards and values of the University of Georgia and Georgia football. It is disappointing when this does not happen.”

Holloman was expected to be Georgia’s leading receiver in 2019. As a sophomore, Holloman finished with 24 catches for 418 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The news caught a number of Georgia fans and media types off guard on Friday.

Former Georgia wide receiver Terrence Edwards gave a strong statement — that has since been deleted — regarding Holloman. Edwards — the only 1,000 yard wide receiver in school history — said that he hopes Holloman does not let one “bad mistake” define the rest of his life.

A number of national media pundits weighed in on the situation and how it might change Georgia’s 2019 trajectory.

Not a good day for Georgia fans. But it's pretty simple. You hit a woman and you're done.https://t.co/5MsCs8pgZJ

— Tony Barnhart (@MrCFB) June 21, 2019

If reports are true that #Georgia WR Jeremiah Holloman has been dismissed from the team than Georgia’s off-field issues this offseason have gotten even worse. pic.twitter.com/pXCGCgRRvr

— John Hayes (@JohnHayesOnAir) June 21, 2019

Jeremiah Holloman was going to be Georgia’s unquestioned #1 receiver next season. That’s a huge blow to an offense that already had big questions to answer at receiver.

George Pickens is going to need to be ready to contribute immediately now more than before.

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) June 21, 2019

Kirby Smart did not hesitate to kick his top returning WR off the team for violence against a woman. https://t.co/oobqv7Thrr

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) June 21, 2019

Georgia fans were also disappointed by the news regarding Holloman’s dismissal

Aww man I hate this for everyone involved

— Marvis Hudson (@MarvisHudson9) June 21, 2019

Love holloman and his mom but no exceptions for anyone. It’s a shame he won’t be a part of this championship season

— Zach Holmes (@Zach_Holmes) June 21, 2019

Unfortunate all the way around. Just pick up and move on. We still have a lot of talent at WR. With the OL Dawgs have built it should allow every WR and TE to get open regardless of who it is. I think Simmons emerges this year, he has the size and speed and lots of game exp.

— Weldon D Williams (@SeekySwish) June 21, 2019

I hate that. He has a mom who has fought hard for him too.

— Kenneth Barfield (@BarfieldKenneth) June 21, 2019

Embarrassing! I hope the young man will be okay. Kirby, can’t be a babysitter and the coach to. Guys have got to be responsible.

— E.Harper (@EricHar97044491) June 21, 2019

Holloman had a strong performance in Georgia’s spring game, as he caught 3 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.

“My role has changed,” Holloman said after G-Day. “I know that all the younger guys are looking at me now. I can’t let them down. I know I have to push myself to get better day in and day out. If I’m slacking one day, the younger guys will think it’s OK for them to slack. So, every day I have to come in and do my best and just keep pushing.”

With Holloman no longer on the team, Georgia will turn to the likes of Tyler Simmons and Demetris Robertson for even more production. Simmons last season had 9 catches for 138 yards. Georgia’s top three wide receivers from the 2018 team were all drafted, as was tight end Isaac Nauta.

Robertson had zero catches last season after transferring from Cal last season. In 2016, Robertson finished with 50 catches for 767 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Georgia did bring in four wide receivers this offseason to offset some of the losses at the position. The Bulldogs signed 5-star wide receiver George Pickens, 4-star wide receiver Dominick Blaylock and 4-star athlete Mikya Tongue. Georgia also brought in graduate transfer Lawrence Cager. Last season, Cager caught 21 passes for 374 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Miami Hurricanes.

Georgia also has the likes of Trey Blount, Matt Landers, Tommy Bush and Kearis Jackson as options at the wide receiver position.

The Bulldogs open up the season on Aug. 31 against Vanderbilt.