Alijah Huzzie

Position:
Defensive Back
Height:
5-10
Weight:
200
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
LaGrange, Ga.
High School:
Heard County / East Tennessee State

Honorable Mention All-ACC (2023)

2024- Graduate Season
Recorded two tackles, a tackle for loss, and his first-carer sack at Virginia • Recorded a pass breakup against Georgia Tech and returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown, the second punt return for a scare in his career • Recorded five tackles and a pass breakup against Pitt • Recorded four pass breakups against James Madison • Recorded two tackles and a tackle for loss against NC Central • Recorded four tackles and a career-high one and a half tackles for losses in the home-opener against Charlotte • Recorded six tackles and a pass breakup in the season-opener at Minnesota • Also returned a punt 20 yards and downed another at the 2-yard line • Named to the Hornung Award Watch List prior to the 2024 season.

2023 - Junior Season
Started the first 11 games before missing the remainder of the season due to injury • Posted 42 tackles, a TFL, three INTs and six PBU on the season • Returned seven punts for 112 yards (16 ypr) and a TD • His 16 yards per return average would have ranked fourth nationally • Named Honorable Mention All-ACC in the secondary and as a specialist • Led the team with three interceptions • Made a season-high eight tackles while adding a TFL and a PBU against South Carolina • Collected five tackles, a QB pressure and a PBU versus App State • Tallied two interceptions, a tackle, a PBU and a punt return touchdown at Pittsburgh to earn ACC Specialist of the Week honors • Registered three tackles and an INT against Syracuse • Added three tackles and a PBU versus Miami • Had six tackles against Virginia • Tallied five tackles at Georgia Tech • Made four tackles and a PBU versus Duke • Posted one tackle at Clemson before suffering a season-ending injury.

Prior to North Carolina
A four-year veteran on defense at East Tennessee St. with two years of eligibility remaining • Appeared in 34 games, starting the final 30, while at ETSU • Notched 179 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 12 INTs and 30 PBU • Started all 11 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2022 • Claimed first-team FCS All-America and first-team All-SoCon honors • Finished 12th in the Buck Buchanan Award voting for the FCS’ best defensive player • Tallied 59 tackles, 2.5 TFL, six INTs and 16 PBU • His 22 passes defended led all FCS players • The six INTs were the second-most nationally at the FCS level • Started all 13 games in 2021, earning Freshman All-America and second-team All-SoCon accolades • Posted 76 tackles, two TFL, three INTs, nine PBU and two forced fumbles • Started all six games in a shortened 2021 spring season • Named Freshman All-American and second-team All-SoCon • Notched 42 tackles, two TFL, three INTs and five PBU • Played in four games as a true freshman in 2019, making two tackles • Also returned punts for three seasons, totaling 26 returns for 313 yards (12 ypr) • A two-time SoCon Honor Roll honoree • An all-state performer in both football and basketball at Heard County • Coached by Shane Lasseter.

Personal
Son of Misty Eley and Tellas Huzzie • Cousin, Will, plays football at ETSU • Cousin, Qua Huzzie, played football at Kentucky • Birthday is Jan. 16.