Notre Dame finally got back into Florida high school powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas when they landed Corey Holmes. After establishing in roads with Sam Young and holding court with specialists Ben Turk and Jordan Cowart, landing an elite receiver out of one of the country’s best programs was the handy work of Tony Alford.
Holmes’ freshman season was what was expected—a redshirt and a year working with strength coach Paul Longo. And while the depth chart in front of him hasn’t changed, Holmes’ brief taste of the field early last season likely fueled his work this spring and summer, knowing his road to playing time means passing others on the depth chart.
With his eligibility clock starting this fall, let’s see what’s in store for the promising young receiver from Florida.
COREY HOLMES
6'0.5", 184 lbs.
Sophomore, No. 15, WR
RECRUITING PROFILE
While his on-field stats were limited due to injuries, the four-star receiver certainly had the look of a blue-chipper when you consider the programs chasing him.
Holmes committed to Notre Dame after a summer visit, turning down offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma and a few dozen others. Also an Under Armour All-American.
PLAYING CAREER
Freshman Season (2014): Saw action against Rice and Michigan before sitting out the remainder of the season, saving a year of eligibility.
WHAT WE SAID LAST YEAR
In the longest way possible, this is pretty much accurate—though it was tough to see DaVaris Daniels and the Frozen Five coming.I think the comparison to TJ Jones is a great one, with one very important caveat: If Jones were a freshman coming into Notre Dame in 2014, he probably wouldn’t play much either.
If possible, a redshirt could be a great thing for Holmes. It’d allow him to put on an additional coat of armor in a college strength and conditioning program. It would also let him follow a mold similar to DaVaris Daniels, potentially even replacing him (as Daniels did Michael Floyd) after he heads to the NFL, leaving a year of eligibility on the table.
At this point, it’s hard to know what the Irish have in Holmes. A big time player at a big time Florida program? One with length, great speed and good route-running ability? It sure sounds like Holmes has star potential.
But then again, it wasn’t too long ago that Notre Dame signed Justin Ferguson out of Florida. Armed with an NFL body and an Alabama offer, Ferguson is now learning how to play safety at Western Michigan, trying to find his way onto the field.
My gut says that Holmes will be a very productive football player for the Irish, but it won’t necessarily happen in 2014. With a depth chart already loaded, sitting out might be the best thing for him.
FUTURE POTENTIAL
I still like the TJ Jones comp for Holmes, who looks like the same type of smooth operator that Jones was for the Irish. But finding a way into the two-deep isn’t any easier than it was last year, without a receiver departing and with Holmes battling personnel far more accomplished than what Jones faced.
The fact Holmes saw action during the first two games of 2014 is telling. The staff had to have reason to believe he was good enough to compete at a very strong position early in the season. But the real barometer for success will likely come after 2015, when Chris Brown and Amir Carlisle’s departure opens up some breathing room at the position.
CRYSTAL BALL
Too many receivers, not enough footballs. I’m putting Holmes into the group that might be able to serve as the “designated deep threat,” and pretty much think 10 catches on the season would make a productive year.
That number could go up if he’s capable of serving as a Z receiver. The slot seems to be the only place—unless injuries strike—where Holmes could carve out a niche, but that would mean that CJ Prosise made a full transition to running back and Carlisle lets injuries get in the way of his final season in South Bend.
While no player wants to hear it, last season’s redshirt was the best thing to happen to Holmes, especially considering the logjam. Because if both Will Fuller and Corey Robinson stick around, it might be 2016 until Holmes has a chance to step forward.
THE 2015 IRISH A-to-Z
Josh Adams, RB
Josh Barajas, OLB
Nicky Baratti, S
Alex Bars, OL
Asmar Bilal, OLB
Hunter Bivin, OL
Grant Blankenship, DE
Jonathan Bonner, DE
Miles Boykin, WR
Justin Brent, WR
Greg Bryant, RB
Devin Butler, CB
Jimmy Byrne, OL
Daniel Cage, DL
Amir Carlisle, RB
Nick Coleman, DB
Te’von Coney, LB
Shaun Crawford, DB
Scott Daly, LS
Sheldon Day, DL
Michael Deeb, LB
Micah Dew-Treadway, DL
Steve Elmer, RG
Matthias Farley, DB
Nicco Fertitta, DB
Tarean Folston, RB
Will Fuller, WR
Jarrett Grace, LB
Jalen Guyton, WR
Mark Harrell, OL
Jay Hayes, DL
Mike Heuerman, TE
Kolin Hill, DE
Tristen Hoge, C