Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/705594
Despite interest from programs across the country, there was one school that stood out to Holmes. After his first trip to Notre Dame, he had a pretty good idea of where he wanted to go to college. While attending the Nike+ Football The Opening July 8 in Beaverton, Ore., Holmes committed to Notre Dame with a creative Bleacher Report video in which he pulled a leprechaun out of a lake with a fishing pole. His commitment video was certainly different, but Holmes likes different, and that's primarily why he picked the Irish. "What's important about Notre Dame is it's a choice, and you've got to make a choice to go to Notre Dame, which I think is very unique," Holmes said. "They're very different from other schools. It's not like you can just go to Notre Dame. That's a life choice, and that separates them." Academics were a big part of his decision, and Holmes also put a great deal of trust in the opinion of his parents, whose wisdom and counsel were key to his final decision. "Most importantly was what my parents thought, because they are a lot wiser than me," Holmes explained. "I want to be far from home, but I want my parents to be able to see me play." Tight ends coach Scott Booker is the regional recruiter for Connecticut, and he was influential in Holmes' recruitment, but wide receivers coach Mike Denbrock was also instrumental. Holmes noted that head coach Brian Kelly and running backs coach Autry Denson began building a relationship with him this summer. Having so many coaches involved with his recruitment made a significant impact on Holmes. "It means everything, knowing the whole staff," Holmes explained. "That FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Notre Dame has recruited C.J. Holmes to play all over the field on offense, but his primary position will be running back, at least initially … That's what makes him such a valuable recruit — he can play all over the field … He projects as a four-star player at running back, wide receiver and safety … Offensively, he shows impressive quickness and balance, which helps him avoid tacklers and rip off big gains … Has outstanding vision out of the backfield and makes strong reads … Catches the football like a receiver and knows how to work himself open. Areas For Improvement Playing all over the field makes him of bit of a jack-of-all-trades, but he has yet to master any one position … Focusing on running back early on will allow him to become a more efficient technician … He also has a tendency to get impatient at times, and he must learn to run with good pad level more consistently. — Bryan Driskell "THE COACHES TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD LIKE ME ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL. THEY SEE ME AS AN ATHLETE. THEY HAVEN'T REALLY PEGGED ME TO ONE POSITION BECAUSE I'M SO VERSATILE AND CAN DO SO MANY THINGS, WHICH I LIKE." HOLMES ON HIS FUTURE WITH THE IRISH