Four-star edge Julius Holly is another big addition to Michigan’s defensive line
Recently committed to Michigan, Julius Holly finished his junior season at Alpharetta (Georgia) Milton with 57 tackles and eight sacks, but when he finished that season, he had no offers from Power Four programs and only three total – Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and Liberty – two of which came last spring.
In January, that changed. Texas A&M offered, then Penn State, West Virginia and Stanford. Tennessee, which had hosted Holly for game visits and training camp, offered and became one of the top schools in the race.
It wasn’t until the spring that Michigan made an offer. This coincided with another flood of offers, including Arkansas, Michigan State, South Carolina, Kansas and then two major challengers in Georgia and Alabama.
This was due in part to Holly’s focus on the weight room. Schools that traveled to Milton during the spring evaluation period were able to see the fruits of his labor.
“My (defensive line coach and trainer) Marcus Howard told me that if I wanted to make it to the next level, I had to decide whether to play basketball because it was counterproductive to what I wanted to do with football,” Holly said. “After talking to my parents about it, we decided to quit basketball so I could maintain my weight. My mom put me on a high-protein, 4,000-calorie meal plan, which, combined with a rigorous workout routine, allowed me to gain a good 25 pounds of muscle.”
Michigan would come in later in the recruiting process – they were the northernmost of all the schools Holly considered – and had a new defensive staff. For those reasons, the Wolverines didn’t initially seem to be among the favorites to land his commitment, but that quickly changed as he got to know the staff and then took an official visit the weekend of June 7.
“It’s because of their strong combination of academics and athletics — which makes them not the ‘best’ in that regard, but definitely one of the best in the country,” Holly told 247Sports’ Anna Adams when he committed. “I spent time with (head) coach (Sherrone) Moore, (defensive line) coach Lou (Esposito), (defensive coordinator) coach Wink (Martindale) and so many others (on my official visit). Coach Moore is a really laid back and down to earth guy, but he can still get on your nerves. I think he’s done a really good job of taking over the whole program and making it a top team.”
This was his first time at Michigan, or rather his first visit to the school, and the Wolverines built a lead that they maintained during the rest of his official visits.
Standing over 6’3″, now weighing 230 pounds, with quickness and pass-rush ability, Holly joins a Michigan defensive line class that has grown quickly with national signings since Esposito joined the roster. Illinois natives Nate Marshall and Jaylen Williams form one of the strongest position groups in this class, along with Holly and in-state defensive tackle Bobby Kanka, who joined the previous roster and has since reaffirmed his commitment.
The Wolverines have a total of 13 commitments for their 2025 recruiting class.
Important upcoming commitments
▶ Winston Salem (NC) Mount Tabor Security James Blair will announce his commitment on Friday, July 5. Michigan hosted an official visit from the 6’4″, 195lb Blair, but the crystal ball predictions currently favor Notre Dame.
▶ Tight End with four stars Andrew Olesh will announce his commitment on July 8. Michigan was considered the frontrunner or one of the frontrunners for the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Pennsylvania native, but recent word is that Alabama has made a move up the list. Wolverines and Tide fans will find out if he will attend their school at 1 p.m. ET that day.
▶ Wide Receiver Destrehan (Louisiana) Phillip Wright and Red Oak (Tex.) receiver Taz Williams Jr. will both announce their commitments on July 13. Michigan is a top contender for both, with Crystal Ball favoring the Wolverines for the speedy Wright.
More information:
▶ Profile of Julius Holly
▶ Profile of Andrew Olesh
▶ Profile of Phillip Wright
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