Darnay

Holmes

The former No. 1 cornerback recruit in the country upon graduating from Calabasas High School, Holmes (5'10/195) handpicked and started in 33-of-35 career games across three seasons as an outside corner for the hometown Bruins. Holmes’ stubby arms (29 1/2"”, third-shortest among this year’s class) match his shorter stature, likely causing coaches to pigeonhole him into the slot at the next level. His straight-line speed requires no such discussion as his collegiate highlight reel includes matching speedsters Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown and Laviska Shenault (among others) stride-for-stride up the seam. He’s also a shoe-in for special teams after averaging 23.1 yards per kickoff return (38/878/1) at UCLA. Holmes’ lacking strength and tendency to gamble on double-moves won’t win him any favors among his next coaching staff, but he’ll be hard to take off the field given his versatility at the position.

Holmes (5'10/195) has seen a bit of a fall from glory since a year or so ago. Heading into the 2019 season, Holmes was an athletic prototype with the potential to climb into the top ranks of the CB class. However, the 2019 season did not go very well for Holmes (or UCLA as a whole) and he has fallen down the ladder. Zierlein props up Holmes for his “smooth” and “aggressive” play style, but has concerns over Holmes’ instincts whenever he is in off coverage. Perhaps all Holmes needs is a reset away from a collapsing UCLA program. Zierlein grades out Holmes as a developmental prospect.

A solid -- if not spectacular -- time for Holmes at the combine on Sunday. It’s a better result than his bench press, as the former UCLA corner was only able to do 12 reps in that event. Holmes has a chance to be drafted this April, but it’s likely going to be late on Day 3 if he is.

Holmes (5'10/196) had a nagging ankle injury earlier in the season that cost him the first two games of the season. He is a former five-star recruit who was named Honorable Mention All Pac-12 last year. In 2019 he posted 33 tackles, 23 solo, six PD and two interceptions in ten games. Holmes has an established pedigree and earned All Pac-12 recognition for his play, however he projects as a Day 3 pick at the moment who could be helped greatly by a strong performance at the scout-packed Senior Bowl practices.

Per the elder Holmes, Darnay’s plan is to play the rest of the season with UCLA before determining whether he wants to return to school or declare for the NFL Draft. We’ve seen lines get crossed between player and parent before -- notably, D’Eriq King’s father said that his son was looking to transfer from Houston earlier this season, an assertion which King himself later refuted -- but at least for now, it would appear that the 5-foot-10, 196-pound Holmes plans on sticking it out with UCLA (perhaps even beyond this year). The junior has recorded 11 tackles with an interception and a pass defensed in four games this season. An ankle injury kept him from playing in the first two contests of the campaign.

Holmes (5'10/196) has yet to play this season due to a nagging ankle injury. While he has been making progress in his recovery from that issue, the team continues to evaluate the junior and it is not a lock that he will play against Oklahoma this coming weekend. Jay Shaw has been starting in Holmes’ place and figures to continue to do so so long as the junior is out of commission.

Holmes (5'10/198) also sat out the Bruins’ season opening loss at Cincinnati due to an undisclosed injury. As a result of his absence redshirt sophomore Jay Shaw is in line to make his second consecutive start. Hopefully for UCLA’s sake Holmes will be able to play next week, as the Bruins host Oklahoma. They’ll need their best defensive back on the field for that one.

Brugler refers to the 5-foot-10, 198-pound Holmes as “one of the fastest players in the country.” We’ll have an opportunity to see that speed tested in full a few weeks from now, when UCLA takes on Oklahoma and its CeeDee Lamb-led receiving corp come Sept. 14. Only thing that could potentially throw a wrench in, here, Holmes has been dealing with an undisclosed injury concern during preseason camp.

Kelly isn’t having a press conference until tomorrow morning so we will be left in the dark until then. It’s probably not a good sign for Holmes who has been “day-to-day” with a minor undisclosed injury. He was practicing on August 21st, but wasn’t on Sunday. It could just be precautionary but we’ll find out more about the situation and his potential availability on Monday morning.

Holmes was considered day to day with an undisclosed injury, and it appears that it truly was a minor injury. The Bruins need a healthy Holmes, and Holmes need to stay healthy to continue to improve his draft stock, which currently sits in the second or third round. Holmes is an all-around talent and person, who happened to graduate from school in just two years.