Interest rising for Holliday

A junior running back at Memphis (Tenn.) Fairley who lives near the University of Memphis and is the son of a former Tigers player, Marcus Holliday has been to the school many times through the years.

But Holliday's most recent trip there was a little different.

He wasn't on campus as a fan, but as a recruit for junior day.

"It went really well," Holliday said. "I already knew the campus because I've been on it so many times. It was pretty decent. They're building a new weightroom, and they just got a new turf. They've also stepped up their rehab center. It's really evolved in the past year."

Memphis would seem to have more than a few things working in its favor with regards to Holliday. His father (Marcus Holliday Sr.) was a teammate at the school with Tigers head coach Larry Porter. Also, Memphis is the only program to have offered at this point. Yet, when asked if the Tigers led, Holliday replied, "I really can't say that."

In addition to Memphis, Holliday is hearing from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Georgia, Northern Illinois, LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Of that group, Mississippi State has shown the most interest.

"I call them three times a week. They want me to come up Feb. 19 or March 5," Holliday said. "On the 19th, there's a basketball game. But on March 5, I can actually watch them practice and see what level of play I'm about to go into. I think they're really close to offering."

Previously, Holliday also visited Georgia for junior day.

"There's some interest," he said. "They've been sending me letters, and I talked to their running backs coach when I was there. We were talking and he said he's very fond of my film."

Holiday rushed for more than 1,600 yards as a sophomore, but was limited to five games in 2010 after sustaining a pulled groin from what he called "overwork."

"I'm healthy now," Holliday said. "I ran a 4.56 [40-yard dash] at the [U.S. Army] combine in San Antonio. I think I did very well there. My shuttle time was the fastest in my whole group."