BGA's Garnett Hollis Jr.: Why I signed with Northwestern

The Tennessean has asked members of this year's Dandy Dozen to submit an essay in their own words why they signed with their school on Wednesday. Here is what BGA's Garnett Hollis Jr. said about his signing with Northwestern.

I chose Northwestern University because I believe this school provides the best opportunities for me.

What I want for my college experience is to go to a school that prioritizes academics, but also allows me to play competitive football on a big stage. I have always valued academics and have always put them before athletics, so when I was deciding what school to commit to, academics were one of the main aspects I considered. 

Not only did my family and I fall in love with the campus when we traveled there for my first official visit, but we were impressed by the fact that Northwestern is a top-10 ranked school in the nation.

Its prestige impacted our decision for me to pick this school. At Northwestern, I plan to major in business finance, and the Kellogg School of Management is one of the top business schools in the nation as well, so that ensures me that I would be able to pursue the major that will help me with business opportunities after my football career has ended. 

Northwestern football:Garnett Hollis Jr.'s first love is basketball. His college future is football.

National Signing Day: Nashville area high school athletes expected to sign during the early period

Football was the other main reason that I committed to Northwestern. Northwestern is in the Big 10, which is arguably the toughest conference in the nation, so that gives me an opportunity to play against some of the best competition in the country.

My main goal after graduation is to get to the NFL, and I believe Northwestern can put me in a position to achieve that goal and can provide the best preparation for what I want to do academically and beyond.