Holyfield brings out Dawgs in announcement

MORE ON HOLYFIELD: UGASports.com coverage | Other unique announcement ceremonies

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - Leading up to his commitment ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, Rivals100 running back Elijah Holyfield knew he wanted a unique way to announce his pledge to Georgia. But after mulling over several different options, including a Cam Newton-esque Superman shirt ripping option, Holyfield was out of ideas.

"I wanted to do something different than everybody else," said Holyfield, the No. 99 prospect and son of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. "Then my coach came to me and said he found some dogs that I could use and I said, 'Why not?' "

Using two live Bulldogs. #Rivals100 RB Elijah Holyfield has committed to Georgia https://t.co/Wn0B8D8DwF- Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) September 4, 2015

Woodward Academy assistant coach Matt Brennan took Holyfield on most of his recruiting visits and played an integral part in Holyfield's recruitment, so it's only fitting he provided an assistant when it came to his announcement.

"I knew he didn't want to do the hat thing, he wanted to do something different," Brennan said. "I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a friend has just got some bulldog puppies, so when I saw that I asked if he wanted the puppies to help him announce, and he loved the idea."

The pair of Bulldog puppies, which are fittingly named "Chubb" and "Girly" as a homage to current and former Georgia running backs Nick Chubb and Todd Gurley, had to be snuck into the school so the moment wasn't spoiled.

"We knew most of the media would get here early to set up so we had them bring the dogs in through the back," Brennan said. "As soon as Elijah started talking, we walked them right out of the back and I think we did a pretty good job."

Holyfield's mother, Tamie Pettaway, said she loved the idea when Holyfield pitched it to her and she said she thinks her son's unique way of thinking may help him once his football career is over.

"I really believe now that his major should be marketing," Pettaway said. "He has structured this whole thing, from cutting his list from 10 to five and now the announcement. This is all him so he's been thinking this thing through and he just shows how creative he can be."

As the son of a boxing legend, Pettaway said her son has always been hungry to make a name for himself and Wednesday's announcement was another step in that direction.

"Ever since Elijah was little he's always had to fight for his space and his attention because there's so many of us," Pettaway said. "But he's always been the one to get up on his own, go work out and run on his own, he always knew what he wanted to do and that's why seeing him get to this point is so refreshing and rewarding for me."

The last running back to commit to Georgia using a live bulldog was Isaiah Crowell, whose career in Georgia didn't exactly pan out like Bulldogs fans expected. Holyfield said he doesn't think that will be a problem for him.

"I feel like I have a special skill set," Holyfield said. "I feel like I can possibly play early as a freshman and I'm just going to try to work as hard as I can to make sure I can play."