Brian Kelly reacts to latest on Trey Holly case, updates status with program

LSU running back Trey Holly was arrested in mid-February and charged with three felony counts, including a second-degree attempted murder charge. On Friday, a Union Parish Grand Jury rejected the murder charge, potentially providing a path forward for Holly to rejoin the football team.

He was suspended indefinitely from the team when the charges first surfaced.

Coach Brian Kelly was participating in a coaching clinic when he was presented the news that the murder charge was dropped, from Holly’s high school coach, no less.

“Like many of you, the first that I saw of it was I think somebody released it on social media,” Kelly said. “We had a coaches’ clinic. His high school coach came up to me, who was here at the clinic, and told me that the serious charges were dropped. So we were confident, based upon information that was shared to us. But you just don’t know.”

Trey Holly does still face some outstanding charges. For one, he faces a charge of illegal use of a weapon but will reportedly plead not guilty to that charge.

The resolution of the legal process will be an important next step for Holly, who will look to return to the team with the blessing of Kelly.

“So we’ll be, obviously, monitoring and making sure that, I think they’re talking about sometime in the middle of April that we could see a full resolution to this,” Kelly said. “At that time we’ll begin the process in assisting him for reinstatement, and we’ll advocate for him on his behalf. And welcome him back.”

Following his arrest and subsequent suspension from the team, Holly had to take additional steps to ensure returning to football wouldn’t be an issue in the event it became possible.

Kelly explained that process.

“We know Trey Holly. We’ve been with him,” Kelly said. “We advocated for him to continue his schooling, and we were happy that he was able to continue his schooling here as an online student. So he’s maintained his eligibility because of that.”

Holly has only spent one season with the Tigers. He played in three games during in the 2023 campaign Baton Rouge, tallying 11 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one pass for five yards.

Prior to enrolling at LSU, Trey Holly was a highly sought-after prospect, a four-star player. He checked in as the No. 261 overall prospect in the nation according to the On3 Industry Rankings.