SIGNED: RB C.J. Holmes
Cheshire (Conn.) Academy running back C.J. Holmes is an early enrollee and started classes at Notre Dame on Jan. 17.
The 6-0, 190-pounder is listed as a four-star talent, the No. 2 player in Connecticut, and the No. 5 all-purpose back and No. 203 overall prospect nationally.
Statistics
• As a senior, rushed for 1,168 yards (8.2 per run) and 11 touchdowns on 142 carries, while leading Cheshire Academy to an 8-2 record.
Honors
• Named to the All-USA Connecticut first team by USA Today as a senior.
• Selected to the New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Council Class A All-New England Team as a junior and senior.
All-Star Games And Camps
• Participated in the Rivals Camp Series at New Jersey in February 2016.
Recruitment
• Committed to Notre Dame on July 8, 2016, and is one of five early enrollees.
• Also held offers from Alabama, Michigan, UCLA and Tennessee, among others.
• Pledged to the Notre Dame staff two days after competing at Irish Invasion in June, but did not go public until July 8.
• Visited campus officially for the Nevada game (Sept. 10) during the season and took an unofficial visit over the weekend of Notre Dame’s postseason awards banquet (Dec. 9-11).
• Primarily recruited by former tight ends coach Scott Booker and running backs coach Autry Denson.
Notable
• Born May 20, 1998.
• Member of the Cheshire Academy relay team that ranked No. 1 in New England, and set school records in the 4x100 and 4x400.
• Intends to major in business, with an emphasis on film and television.
• His mother, Dawn, was a five-time All-American triple jumper at Southern Connecticut State.
• His father, Craig, also ran track at Southern Connecticut State before joining the Army.
2017 Projection
• Although a redshirt is possible, Holmes has the versatility and athleticism that could result in a special teams role.
BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: “Holmes is very similar to former Irish standout C.J. Prosise. Not only does Holmes project as a legit four-star recruit at running back, wide receiver and safety — like Prosise did — he is built very similar to the former Notre Dame standout and has comparable athleticism. Holmes is a smooth athlete that will only get stronger and more explosive as he matures.
“He has very good vision and should excel in Notre Dame’s zone schemes as a runner, and his downfield ball skills make him a legit receiving threat whether it’s out of the backfield or lined up outside as a receiver.”
----
• Talk about it inside Rockne’s Roundtable
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, Blue & Gold Illustrated.
• Follow us on Twitter: @BGINews, @BGI_LouSomogyi, @BGI_CoachD,
@BGI_MattJones, @BGI_DMcKinney and @BGI_CoreyBodden.
• Like us on Facebook.