JJ Holloman was so sure about his decision to sign his football scholarship with Georgia, he couldn’t wait until February’s National Signing Day to put the ink on the dotted line.

He also couldn’t wait until after the 2016-17 school year to join the team.

Thursday, Holloman made his commitment to UGA sure during a signing ceremony at the school. He also expressed his intentions to arrive to Athens in January as an early enrollee with every expectation to immediately challenge for playing time.

“That was always my goal,” Holloman said. “I wanted to make sure I got there early, got familiar with the program so I can have an outstanding freshman year. It’s a chance for me to get there six months ahead of my class, which I think will be big, knowing how UGA needs receivers as they do.”

Holloman was a consensus 4-star product for Newton High. He caught  over 30 passes for 500-plus yards and seven touchdowns during his senior campaign that saw the Rams make it to the first round of the Class AAAAAAA playoffs.

Holloman will join a star-studded class for coach Kirby Smart that includes other Georgia standouts like Houston County QB Jake Fromm. Holloman said that being a part of a much ballyhooed recruiting class was a big part of why he chose Georgia over others, including Miami, Tennessee, LSU and Nebraska.

As for Newton coach Terrance Banks, he said Holloman’s signing to a prestigious SEC program was something four years in the making.

“We knew he was going to be a starter when he came as a freshman,” Banks said. “He’s so athletic, and that athleticism oozes out. The thing about JJ is people think he’s a deep threat, but he’s really a guy when he gets the ball in his hands, is gonna cause you some problems. He’s so fast and physical. He can hurt you in a lot of different ways. I think the only thing he’s gotta work on at UGA, and coach Carter will take care of that, is route running. Because he’s so fast and physical, he can get away things in his route. But he’ll be able to be more tight with that at the next level.

“When he gets a hold of that, he’ll pretty much be a five-tool football player.” 

Banks also called Holloman’s signing something that is a boon for both Holloman and Banks’ program.

“It proves that my coaching staff and I have done things the right way,” he said. “Kinda went through a lull at Newton where you didn’t have a lot of guys going to power five schools.  And now we’re seeing that happen again, to where you’ve got a kid plays for South Carolina, a kid that plays for West Virginia, a kid that plays for Georgia now, and one who will sign with Tennessee in February. It proves that big time players can come and play and succeed at Newton High School.”

Now Holloman is chomping at the bit to prove that his game has immediate transferability at the SEC level. Holloman said he wanted to make it clear that he’s going to UGA to have immediate impact.

“Yes sir, right away,” Holloman said. “From the first day I step on campus, I’m gonna be looking to get on the field.”