Jeffery Holland Gus Malzahn

Linebacker prospect Jeffery Holland is considered one of Gus Malzahn's top defensive targets for the 2015 recruiting class. (Photos by 247Sports and Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- What makes Auburn's Big Cat Weekend so unique?



Fishing trips with the head coach, for one.



The annual recruiting event, which started in 2009 under former head coach Gene Chizik, took place Saturday on the Plains. A number of Auburn's top prospects came together in an effort to put football aside and build vital bonds with the coaches, parents and each other.

Aside from tours of the campus and facilities, the prospects participated in a variety of activities, such as pie-eating contests, dunk-tank contests and other games.



Among the Big Cat Weekend visitors was one of the nation's top linebacker prospects, Jeffery Holland, who named Auburn his leader before the trip. His favorite moment from the weekend was a bit more laid-back.



"Me and Coach Gus (Malzahn) fished in the pond," he said. "We didn't catch much, but we talked about life and he shared his testimony with me. That's a plus.



"I love Auburn. I absolutely love it. My uncle went here and the coaches love the players for who they are."



Malzahn and his staff have been after the Jacksonville, Fla., product for quite some time. He is considered one of Auburn's top defensive targets and is ranked as the nation's No. 4 outside linebacker prospects in the 247Sports Composite.



Holland grew up a Florida fan and the Gators are consistently nipping at Auburn's heels to land a pledge from the four-star prospect. In fact, he says the staff in Gainesville, Fla., is after him the hardest.



"I like Florida a lot," he said. "It's 45 minutes away and I can go up there any time. I've visited Florida more than I've visited any other school, so that's an advantage Florida's got. They were one of the first schools that started recruiting me."





Holland is ranked as the nation's No. 4 outside linebacker prospect in the 247Sports Composite. (247Sports)

Holland doesn't have a set date for a commitment, but what will it ultimately take to get him out of the Sunshine State?

"It's not going to take that much," he said. "I just have to look at the defensive schemes and compare them."

The Tigers are chasing a number of other linebacker prospects in the 2015 recruiting class --

and

to name a couple -- but Holland is the cream of the crop.

He shines at linebacker for Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, where two of his teammates, safety

and running back

, are already committed to Auburn.

The 6-foot-3, 232-pounder considers himself an "athlete" at Trinity since he's also seen time at running back, receiver and safety. He says Auburn likes him as a linebacker, while Florida is more open to his versatility.

"Florida told me I can play anywhere," he said. "They really want me to play safety at Florida. I was a hard-hitting safety before I got moved to linebacker. I don't care where what position I'm at, I just want to play football."

Holland racked up 48 tackles (17.5 for loss) with 11.5 sacks as a junior. He plans on enrolling early at the school of his choice and expects to take official visits to both Auburn and Florida. UCLA and Ohio State are also in the mix.

Where do you think Holland will end up? Cast your vote in our poll below and check out his highlights at Hudl.