Former LSU running back Trey Holly is set to make his long-awaited HBCU football debut this weekend. Holly has been listed as Southern University’s starting running back ahead of Saturday’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge matchup.
Southern will open the season against North Carolina Central, the 2022 HBCU national champion out of the MEAC.
The Jaguars will also roll out a new starter under center. Quarterback Jalen Woods earned the nod after a week of speculation, as head coach Terrence Graves declined to confirm who would lead the offense. Ultimately, Woods got the start over Jackson State transfer Cam’Ron McCoy.
Before arriving at LSU, Holly built a legendary résumé at Union Parish High School in Farmerville. Over five seasons — beginning in eighth grade — he shattered Louisiana’s all-time rushing record with 10,532 yards and scored 160 total touchdowns (146 rushing). As a senior, he piled up 2,694 yards and 38 touchdowns, guiding Union Parish to the LHSAA Division III state title game. Across his career, he logged 51 games of 100+ rushing yards and averaged 159.4 yards per contest.
His high school dominance made him a highly sought-after recruit. Rivals.com ranked Holly as the nation’s No. 4 running back and a four-star prospect.
At LSU, Holly saw limited action in 2023, playing in three games and recording 110 rushing yards and one touchdown. His career in Baton Rouge was cut short, however, after a February 2024 arrest on multiple felony charges. Though the attempted second-degree murder charge was later dropped, he still faces weapons-related charges.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly made it clear that Holly would not return to the Tigers “until his legal matters are resolved.”
Now, Holly has a chance to restart his career with Southern, taking on the defending HBCU champions in what could be one of the most-watched openers of the season.
