| Elijah Holyfield | |
| Position: | Running back |
| Birth Date: | 30 November 1997 |
| Birth Place: | College Park, Georgia, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 5 |
| Height In: | 10 |
| Weight Lb: | 215 |
| College: | Georgia |
| Undraftedyear: | 2019 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Pfr: | HolyEl00 |
Elijah Esaias Holyfield (born November 30, 1997) is an American professional football running back and professional wrestler-in-training. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He is the son of former heavyweight world champion boxer Evander Holyfield.
In November 2024, he signed with WWE's developmental promotion, NXT[1] to begin training as a professional wrestler.
Holyfield attended high school at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA [2] and Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. As a junior, he rushed for 1,735 yards and 25 touchdowns and as a senior he rushed for 1,069 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was ranked as a 4-star recruit coming out of high school. He committed to the University of Georgia to play college football.[3]
Holyfield played in five games as a true freshman at Georgia in 2016, rushing six times for 29 yards. As a sophomore in 2017, he rushed for 293 yards on 50 carries and two touchdowns.[4] Splitting time with D'Andre Swift in 2018, Holyfield rushed for 1,018 yards on 159 carries with seven touchdowns. After the season, Holyfield decided to forgo his senior year to pursue a career in the NFL.[5] [6]
Following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL draft, Holyfield signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2019.[7] He was waived on September 1, 2019, and was re-signed to the practice squad.[8]
After his contract expired with the Panthers, Holyfield was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles active roster on December 31, 2019, ahead of their wild card game against the Seahawks.[9] He was waived on September 3, 2020,[10] and re-signed to the team's practice squad three days later.[11] He was elevated to the active roster on November 21 for the team's week 11 game against the Cleveland Browns, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[12] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on January 4, 2021.[13]
On August 29, 2021, Holyfield was waived by the Eagles.[14]
On October 12, 2021, Holyfield was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.[15]
On February 15, 2022, Holyfield signed a reserve/future contract.[16]
On July 28, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a significant knee injury during team practice the day before.[17]
He is the son of former professional boxer Evander Holyfield.[18] [19] [20]