PREP FOOTBALL RECRUITING:

Centennial senior set on Southern Utah

Jummel Hidrosollo/Special to the Home News

Centennial wide receiver Matt Holley (21) keeps Durango running back Romell Maxwell away during the season opener at Centennial High School on Aug. 29.

By Christopher Drexel

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 | 4:21 p.m.

High school sports section

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Centennial High School

Centennial senior Matt Holley had already verbally committed to Southern Utah's football program before taking a recruiting visit this weekend.

Once he arrived at the Cedar City, Utah, school on Friday, he knew he made the right decision.

Holley, who gave his verbal commitment last month, decided on Southern Utah to reunite with former high school teammate Tyson Turley, who graduated Centennial in 2008 and plays safety for the Thunderbirds.

Turley planned to go on a church mission in the fall but decided to stay at Southern Utah another season before leaving.

"I was wavering a little bit until Tyson said he was going to stay one more year," Holley said. "That really sealed the deal for me. It will be fun to play with him again. And the atmosphere at Southern Utah seems really nice."

Holley was a standout wide receiver, safety and kick returner for the Bulldogs last season. He led Centennial with 463 receiving yards on 36 receptions and also rushed for 229 yards on 34 attempts. Holley also led the team with 120 tackles, including 73 solo.

Holley said Southern Utah coaches told him he will play outside linebacker in college.

"I think it will be a really smooth transition to linebacker," he said. "They said it's more my body type. I'm really excited about it. It should be fun."

Holley plans to play one year at Southern Utah before going on a church mission.

"The coaches were very understandable about that," he said. "They said it would be fine to go on it and come back and play after."

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or christopher.drexel@hbcpub.com.