By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor’s Gavin Holmes has run out of eligibility. He walked on senior day. But there’s a chance Baylor could keep that name going in 2023.
Earlier this week, Wake Forest sophomore defensive back Gavin Holmes announced he entered the NCAA transfer portal. Almost immediately, the offers piled up including one from the Bears. Others are Texas, West Virginia, Washington and Ole Miss.
“I heard that there was another Gavin Holmes on their team,’’ this Holmes said. “That’s crazy. It would be cool Gavin Holmes lined up against Gavin Holmes in practice.’’
A product of Archbishop Rummel in New Orleans, Holmes turned into a ball hawk in his two years as a starter for the Demon Deacons. He had solo INTs in 2020 and 2021 – returned one for a score in 2020 – and for his career, broke up 15 other passes. That included nine this past fall.
The veteran usually got one of the tougher cover assignments weekly. He appeared in 27 total games but all 24 between these past two seasons. Of his 45 career tackles, 36 are solos. According to Pro Football Focus, Holmes has graded in the mid-60s.
Baylor is looking for some veteran leadership in the secondary after that unit struggled in 2022. Veteran Mark Milton just completed his fifth season but did not walk on senior day.
“I talked with [Baylor defensive backs coach] Kevin Curtis and that went pretty well,’’ Holmes said. “He knows his stuff. He just told me that they’re looking for help and that I could be a fit for them.’’
Holmes said on Wednesday that he was returning to New Orleans later in the day. Once he gets settled, he will sort through all of his offers and determine his next steps. That would include visits.
A decision may not come until January. Time will tell. Holmes still has a redshirt and the COVID year available to him. He’s draft eligible in 2025.
“We’re just going to talk about what’s best me for,’’ Holmes said. “There’s a lot to look at.’’
Publisher
Baylor’s Gavin Holmes has run out of eligibility. He walked on senior day. But there’s a chance Baylor could keep that name going in 2023.
Earlier this week, Wake Forest sophomore defensive back Gavin Holmes announced he entered the NCAA transfer portal. Almost immediately, the offers piled up including one from the Bears. Others are Texas, West Virginia, Washington and Ole Miss.
“I heard that there was another Gavin Holmes on their team,’’ this Holmes said. “That’s crazy. It would be cool Gavin Holmes lined up against Gavin Holmes in practice.’’
A product of Archbishop Rummel in New Orleans, Holmes turned into a ball hawk in his two years as a starter for the Demon Deacons. He had solo INTs in 2020 and 2021 – returned one for a score in 2020 – and for his career, broke up 15 other passes. That included nine this past fall.
The veteran usually got one of the tougher cover assignments weekly. He appeared in 27 total games but all 24 between these past two seasons. Of his 45 career tackles, 36 are solos. According to Pro Football Focus, Holmes has graded in the mid-60s.
Baylor is looking for some veteran leadership in the secondary after that unit struggled in 2022. Veteran Mark Milton just completed his fifth season but did not walk on senior day.
“I talked with [Baylor defensive backs coach] Kevin Curtis and that went pretty well,’’ Holmes said. “He knows his stuff. He just told me that they’re looking for help and that I could be a fit for them.’’
Holmes said on Wednesday that he was returning to New Orleans later in the day. Once he gets settled, he will sort through all of his offers and determine his next steps. That would include visits.
A decision may not come until January. Time will tell. Holmes still has a redshirt and the COVID year available to him. He’s draft eligible in 2025.
“We’re just going to talk about what’s best me for,’’ Holmes said. “There’s a lot to look at.’’
