Former Pelham High School running back Wes Holland started classes at the University of North Alabama this week, leaving the U.S. Naval Academy.

Holland, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior at Pelham in 2006, decided in the fall to leave the Naval Academy citing career choice as the reason.

He said UNA is a better fit for his career path of wanting to be an orthopedic surgeon and still play football.

Holland began talking with UNA in the fall before the departure of head coach Mark Hudspeth to coach receivers at Mississippi State. A scholarship offer was extended before former Auburn University head coach Terry Bowden was introduced as the UNA coach on New Year’s Day.

Holland was named USA Today/Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year for Alabama and was an All-State selection in 2006. He will enter practice this spring with three years of eligibility for the UNA Lions, who advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinal in December.