Louisville football safety Gerod Holliman had to take detour to follow his friends, become a Cardinal (original) (raw)

Gerod Holliman wanted to join Teddy Bridgewater so much that he reversed field on his original college commitment.

Holliman took a circuitous route to the University of Louisville, but he’s finally in position to be an impact player along with his friend from Miami. The highly touted sophomore safety has started the past two games, making the first start of his career in the Cardinals’ 27-13 victory at Kentucky.

After a year in prep school and an injury-shortened freshman season, Holliman is getting an opportunity.

“It’s been a long stretch, but I’m ready to do it,” he said.

The 2011 UofL recruiting class has been the foundation of coach Charlie Strong’s success. He brought in Bridgewater, wide receivers Eli Rogers and DeVante Parker and others who contributed immediately as freshmen.

But one player was missing from that group: Holliman.

He was a four-star recruit rated the No.4 safety in the 2011 class by Rivals.com and the 49th-best player overall in ESPN’s Top 150. The Miami Southridge High School product originally committed to Mississippi, but when Northwestern High’s Bridgewater chose UofL in December 2010, Holliman changed his mind. He committed to the Cards on national television during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January 2011.

He wanted to follow Bridgewater.

“Me and all my friends could come and play right away,” Holliman said. “They (the Ole Miss coaches) really weren’t looking for a quarterback. I knew they weren’t trying to recruit Teddy.”

But Holliman didn’t get to play right away — at least not at UofL. He says he was 100 points away from a qualifying SAT score, so he had to enroll in a prep school. At the suggestion of UofL assistant coach Clint Hurtt, he picked Milford Academy in Connecticut, an all-boys school 1,300 miles from Miami.

Holliman helped Milford go 12-0, then enrolled at UofL in January 2012. He played in three games last year before his season was cut short by a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery.

This year Holliman has played in every game and cracked the starting lineup as a nickelback at UK. He has eight tackles, one for a loss, and one pass breakup.

“He’s still learning,” Strong said. “He’s a safety and nickel. He’s getting an opportunity to get on the field, and he’s playing a lot of special teams.”

By Holliman’s count, he has dropped two interceptions, one against Ohio and the other against UK. But in the season-opening 49-7 rout of Ohio, he tipped a ball that strong safety Hakeem Smith picked off.

It’s important to remember that Holliman doesn’t have a lot of college experience.

“I feel like I’ve done pretty good,” he said. “There’s always room for improvement. I can do a lot better. I’m still getting a feel for it.”

UofL has only three interceptions, a statistic that defensive coordinator Vance Bedford would like to see improve. Holliman could help.

“He’s a guy with a lot of potential to make a lot of plays,” Bedford said. “I’m still waiting to see him make those plays in games. He’s done it in practice, but (not) in the games it when it really counts.”

While Holliman develops, he’s happy to be playing with his friends. That’s why he’s here.

“The best thing about it is we get to compete (together),” he said. “It makes us all better.”

Michael Grant can be reached at (502) 582-4069.