Southern University running back Trey Holly had an unlikely companion with him during the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
A Chucky doll.
For Holly, the horror movie doll represents more than a pop culture reference—it’s a powerful symbol of his own journey and fighting spirit.
“I’ve been having Chucky since high school,” Holly shared after a game in which he rushed for a team-high 116 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run. “I grew up watching Chucky. I like Chucky. But really, I look at him like motivation.
You know, he’s little—and I’m little. But just like he goes out and kills, that’s what I feel like I have to do on the field. People might think I’m undersized, but I’ve got to prove myself every game.”
LSU transfer Trey Holly goes 80 yards to the house for Southern in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge pic.twitter.com/gKVVriGmjo
— Stan Becton (@stan_becton) August 24, 2025
Both triumph and adversity have marked Holly’s path to Southern. Born and raised in Farmerville, Louisiana, Holly became a football legend at Union Parish High School, shattering Louisiana’s all-time high school rushing record with more than 10,500 yards and 160 total touchdowns across five years—starting as early as eighth grade.
His consistency was jaw-dropping: 51 games of 100+ rushing yards and a career average of nearly 160 yards per game led him to a state championship appearance his senior year, where he rushed for 2,694 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Rated as one of the nation’s top running back prospects, Holly signed with LSU and showed flashes of his potential in a reserve role, notching 110 yards and a touchdown in three games in 2023.
However, off-field challenges surfaced in early 2024, when Holly was suspended from LSU due to legal issues, including charges—some later dropped—stemming from a shooting incident in his hometown.
While the most serious charge was dismissed, Holly continues to contest remaining weapons-related allegations, prompting his transfer to Southern University as he seeks a fresh start.
Now a starter for the Jaguars, Holly has quickly won over his new teammates and fans with his tenacity and unique brand of motivation.
At just 5-foot-7 and 192 pounds, he embraces the “underdog” mentality, much like his favorite character, Chucky. “He’s little, I’m little, but you’ve got to show people what you can do. That’s my motivation,” Holly explained.
If Saturday’s performance and trademark doll display are any indication, Trey Holly is ready to carve out his own legacy in Baton Rouge—one that combines record-breaking talent, resilience, and a little bit of horror movie inspiration.
