Rabun Gap, Ga. – Tucker Holloway’s signing literally came down to the very last minute.
It had been a hectic last few weeks for the former Wildcats quarterback and current Eagles wide receiver. Holloway committed to Virginia Tech in July, but the university fired head coach Justin Fuente on Nov. 16.
Though Holloway never publicly changed his commitment, the University of Tennessee and University of Vanderbilt tried hard to get him to flip his commitment. However, Holloway stayed pat with the Hokies, signing his letter of intent on Dec. 15.
“I was 50-50 and did not make a decision until the day I was signing,” Holloway said. “I was prepared to sign with either team the morning I woke up of signing day. Even when I got to the facility and started to get ready, I was still making my decision. It really came down to the last moment.”
Holloway stayed with Virginia Tech because of the Hokies’ push the last few days before signing day. The university hired
Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry to be its next head football coach on Dec. 2, and Holloway didn’t hear from Pry for a few days.
That could have been alarming, as up until a player signs their letter of intent they aren’t guaranteed a spot on the team. New head coaches also don’t have to honor the commitments and scholarship offers of previous head coaches.
But Holloway eventually heard from Pry, who said they liked his size and length at receiver and assured him he still had a spot at Virginia Tech. He went up to Blacksburg for one final visit two weekends ago, and potential hires for Pry’s staff spent the last two days calling Holloway’s family, friends and coaches to keep him at Virginia Tech. That level of attention sealed the deal.
“I didn’t think I’d have to have a conversation about recruiting again,” Holloway said. “Once it started to happen, it was a whirlwind of a few weeks, but at the end of the day everything happens for a reason, and I still believe Virginia Tech’s the right place for me.”
In his post-graduate season at Rabun Gap, Holloway had 33 catches for a team-high 635 yards and six touchdowns, had 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 31 tackles and three interceptions as a safety on defense. The Eagles made the N.C. Independent School Athletic Association championship game for the second straight year, but came up short against Providence Day.
“It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, lost in the last game and there’s things we could say about it,” Holloway said.
“But at the end of the day, we had an amazing team, amazing group of guys that came together and we did some amazing things.”