Trey Holly avoids jail time after entering a no contest/best interest plea to felony gun charges in Union Parish, closing a major legal chapter for the former LSU running back who continued his college football career at Southern University. Holly received one year of probation and a $1,000 fine after the plea agreement. A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office also said he was sentenced to two years behind bars, but that sentence was suspended as part of the deal. Now, the Southern running back can move forward with his focus back on football, school, and the next stage of his life.
Trey Holly Avoids Jail Time In Union Parish Case
Holly’s case stemmed from a February 2024 shooting in Farmerville, Louisiana, that left two people injured. At the time, Holly was a running back at LSU. He later turned himself in after authorities issued a warrant and initially faced several charges, including attempted second-degree murder.
A grand jury later rejected the attempted murder charge. However, Holly still faced gun-related charges tied to the case. That is what made the plea agreement significant. Instead of going to trial, Holly entered a no contest/best interest plea to illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality.
His attorney, J. Michael Small, said there was a belief that Holly had a chance to win if the case went before a jury. Still, he also noted that the original charges carried serious risk if Holly had been convicted. That helped shape the decision to resolve the case through a plea agreement.
According to WBRZ, Holly avoided jail time and received probation and a fine. WAFB also reported that after Holly completes his probation period, his attorney said he can file a motion to have the conviction set aside and the prosecution dismissed.
A Case That Followed Him From LSU To Southern
The legal situation changed the direction of Holly’s college career. Before the case, he was one of the most accomplished high school running backs in Louisiana history and had signed with LSU as a major in-state talent.
Holly played in three games for LSU during the 2023 season. He rushed 11 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. He also earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after a breakout moment early in his college career.
Then came the February 2024 arrest. LSU suspended him from team activities after the charges, and Holly’s future with the program became uncertain. He maintained that he was innocent and said he had been misidentified.
The legal process continued through 2024 and into 2026. In the meantime, Holly eventually found a new football home at Southern University.
That move gave him a second chance to stay close to the game while still carrying the weight of an unresolved case. It also brought his story into the HBCU football world, where Southern gave him a platform to play, contribute, and rebuild momentum.
Southern University Gave Holly A New Football Home
Southern University took a chance on Holly, and he quickly became one of the most important players in the Jaguars’ offense. His 2025 season showed why he had been so highly regarded as a recruit.
According to Southern’s official roster bio, Holly arrived with one of the strongest high school résumés in Louisiana football history. At Union Parish High School, he broke the state’s all-time rushing record with 10,523 career rushing yards. He also scored 160 total touchdowns, including 146 on the ground.
That production followed him to Baton Rouge. Southern’s 2025 statistics show Holly led the Jaguars with 798 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and 79.8 rushing yards per game. He also added 15 receptions for 126 yards, finishing the season with 977 all-purpose yards.
For a Southern offense that needed consistency, Holly gave the Jaguars a clear threat. He could run between the tackles, break explosive plays, and contribute in the passing game. Even during a difficult season for the program, he stood out as one of Southern’s top offensive weapons.
Why This Moment Matters For Holly
The headline is simple: Trey Holly avoids jail time. But the larger story is more layered.
This is a young athlete who went from Louisiana high school legend to LSU running back, then from criminal charges to a fresh start at an HBCU. The case placed his future under a cloud for more than two years. Now, with the plea agreement in place, Holly has more clarity.
That does not erase the seriousness of the case or the fact that two people were injured in the 2024 shooting. It also does not erase the legal outcome. But it does shift Holly’s path forward. The uncertainty that followed him from LSU to Southern is no longer hanging over his season in the same way.
For Holly, the next step is about discipline. He must complete probation and stay available for his team. He also has to show growth away from the field. Talent has never been the question. The bigger question now is what he does with this new opening.
Marshall Faulk Era Adds Another Layer
Holly’s next football chapter also comes at an important time for Southern. The Jaguars are entering the Marshall Faulk era, which has already brought more national attention to the program.
Faulk, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest all-purpose running backs in football history, gives Southern a unique voice in the running back room. For Holly, that could matter. He now has access to a coach who understands the position at the highest level.
HBCU Buzz previously covered how Marshall Faulk’s Southern University football staff has brought new energy and visibility to Baton Rouge. Holly could be one of the players who benefits most from that shift.
The fit is clear. Holly has the talent. Faulk has the knowledge. Southern has a need for impact players who can help the program climb back into SWAC contention.
A Chance To Rewrite The Story
Trey Holly avoids jail time, but now the harder work begins. The legal case brought national attention for difficult reasons. His next opportunity has to be built on accountability, consistency, and production.
Southern gave him a place to keep playing when his future was uncertain. Now, under Faulk, Holly has a chance to turn that opportunity into something more stable. His 2025 season proved that he can still perform at a high level. The 2026 season can show whether he can become a leader as well.
For Southern fans, Holly’s return to football focus gives the Jaguars another major piece in the backfield. For Holly, it gives him a chance to move from survival mode into a new chapter.
His story is not finished. But after this plea agreement, the path ahead is clearer than it has been in a long time.
