ATHENS, Ga. — According to Georgia Football Coach Kirby Smart, University of Georgia wide receiver and former Newton High standout JJ Holloman has been dismissed from the football team after an investigation into a 2018 assault was launched earlier this month.
“Jeremiah Holloman no longer represents the University of Georgia football program," Smart said in a statement to The Covington News. "We expect every member of our team to uphold the highest standards and values of the University of Georgia and Georgia football. It is disappointing when this does not happen.”
According to a UGA Police Department incident report, a female victim came to the police department Sunday, June 2 to report an assault that occurred around 4 a.m. April 22, 2018.
The victim, reported arguing with Holloman after the 2018 G-Day Game. She then called Hollman’s brother to pick her up from his dorm room located in Rooker Hall.
While waiting for Holloman’s brother to arrive, the victim reported Holloman began to choke her.
“(The victim) stated that (the brother) walked in at this point and pulled the suspect (Holloman) off her,” according to the report. “(The victim) stated she got behind (the brother) for protection. (The victim) stated the suspect (Holloman) then reached over (the brother) and punched her in the face.”
The victim went to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center immediately after the incident and received six stitches.
“(The victim) stated she told doctors at the hospital that she received her injuries from falling in the shower,” according to the report.
Medical records confirm the victim’s account and also indicate “the doctors observed three abrasions on (the victim’s) neck, which she advised them she sustained those abrasions during a basketball game and they were old,” according to the report.
UGAPD also questioned Holloman about the incident. He admitted to hitting the victim during an argument.
“Jeremiah (Holloman) was rubbing his face in his hands and then looked up and said ‘Yeah, after she started hitting me, I hit her back,’” Investigator Will Graham reported. “Jeremiah (Holloman) said the scratches or whatever was on her neck happened during sex.”
Holloman described hitting the victim as “a quick jab” with his right hand.
The victim reported cutting off ties with Holloman, stating “she never looked at him the same after the incident.”
Holloman, however, told UGAPD the victim had contacted him prior to filing the report. Holloman said the victim said “she was upset about him dating someone else that attends the same school as her.” He added that she sent “threatening text messages saying that ‘she would have someone get him.’”
The victim denied sending such messages.
Holloman’s brother never responded to UGAPD’s attempts to contact him about the investigation.
The victim wished to not pursue the case criminally, according to the report. The report was forwarded to the UGA Student Conduct office and the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Holloman committed and signed to UGA in December 2016 as a 4-star wide receiver prospect.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound wideout burst on the scene last year as a sophomore, catching 24 passes for 418 yards and five touchdown receptions. After a strong spring game showing, along with fellow Covington product Eric Stokes, Holloman was poised for a significant increase in playing time for the 2019 season.
Holloman finished his career at Newton with a team-leading 31 catches for 513 yards and seven touchdowns. He did not immediately respond to attempts to reach him for comment.
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Victim information is redacted from this report by The Covington News.
Sports Editor Gabriel Stovall contributed to this report.
