LSU Running Back Trey Holly Pays to Play at Southern University, Signaling a Bold New Chapter in HBCU Football
Baton Rouge, LA – July 23, 2025 – In a move that has captured significant attention across the HBCU sports landscape, former LSU running back Trey Holly has joined Southern University’s football program, choosing to pay his own way to revive his collegiate career. This rare and intriguing development underscores both the challenges and opportunities currently shaping the HBCU football scene.
Trey Holly’s football story is one marked by early dominance, adversity, and now a determined pursuit of redemption. A legendary figure in Louisiana high school football, Holly amassed over 10,500 rushing yards and scored 160 total touchdowns during his time at Union Parish High School, breaking state records and earning national acclaim as a four-star recruit ranked as the nation’s No. 4 running back. He began his college career at LSU, where he appeared in three games in 2023, accumulating 110 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, his time at LSU was derailed by a legal situation in early 2024 that led to his suspension from the team. Although major charges were dropped, Holly still faces weapons-related legal issues which have sidelined him from LSU’s program and left his football future uncertain.
Now, Southern University—defending champions of the SWAC West Division and a cornerstone of HBCU football tradition—is offering him a second chance. Head Coach Terrence Graves confirmed Holly’s arrival at Southern’s practice and his unique position as a walk-on who has voluntarily financed his enrollment in order to compete.
“He got enrolled in school, so we’re going to give him an opportunity to work out here,” Coach Graves said. “He paid his way, he got admitted in school, and we’re going to give him an opportunity to be a part of this program. Let’s just see what he does. We’ll give him an opportunity and not put a lot of added pressure on him—just let him be the young man that he is.”
Southern University, long known for its rich football heritage and passionate fanbase, now finds itself at the forefront of a narrative that encapsulates the evolving dynamics of college football, especially within HBCUs. Holly’s story highlights wider themes including the rise of player autonomy, the realities of legal and personal challenges faced by student-athletes, and the growing appeal of HBCUs as environments for athletic and personal growth.
Southern’s football program continues to gear up for the 2025 season with high expectations, backed by strong coaching and a roster aiming to defend their SWAC West title. The Tigers are featured prominently in previews of the upcoming year, with key games such as the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against North Carolina Central setting the tone early in the schedule. Throughout the season, Southern will face critical matchups that will test their mettle amid a competitive SWAC landscape where teams like Alcorn State, Prairie View A&M, and Grambling State also vie for supremacy.
By bringing in a player like Holly, Southern not only gains a talented back with star potential but also draws attention to the growing trend of HBCUs becoming viable options for transfers frustrated or stalled at Power Five programs. In an era where NIL rights and the transfer portal have reshaped college football, HBCUs are increasingly positioning themselves as platforms for players seeking both visibility and meaningful opportunities on and off the field.
Holly’s integration into Southern’s program is expected to be gradual, with Coach Graves emphasizing the importance of earning his place and growing both athletically and personally within the team culture. This cautious but hopeful approach resonates with the broader HBCU ethos of community, mentoring, and resilience.
Looking ahead, Southern University’s upcoming schedule includes defining contests that will be critical in determining their quest to repeat as SWAC West champions and compete for a conference title. With Holly’s arrival timed alongside regular preseason preparations, the Tigers are preparing to showcase not only their athletic excellence but also the rich narratives that make HBCU football a vital and inspiring part of the collegiate sports landscape.
Trey Holly’s journey from high school legend to LSU running back, through legal adversity, to a self-funded opportunity at Southern University, is much more than a simple player transfer. It is a reflection of the complex intersections of talent, opportunity, perseverance, and the unique cultural power of HBCUs. As fans and analysts watch closely, Southern University and Holly together symbolize a compelling new chapter in the history of Black college football.
Upcoming HBCU Football Highlights
The 2025 season promises a range of thrilling matchups, with some of the best games highlighted by rivalries like North Carolina Central facing Southern in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge, and the historic Red Tails Classic featuring Tuskegee versus Winston-Salem State. These games not only offer exciting competition but also celebrate the storied traditions and cultural vibrancy that define Black college football.
With the season kickoff approaching, Southern University and Trey Holly’s evolving storyline will be one to watch closely as it exemplifies the spirit and resilience of HBCU athletics.
Reported by [Veteran HBCU Sports Journalist]