Defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) tries to tackle running back Bolu Olorunfunmi during UCLA’s Spring Showcase. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Perhaps the greatest compliment Kenny Young can give Darnay Holmes is to compare the young freshman to his favorite athlete.
“Man, (he has) that Deion Sanders swagger,” Young said Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Days. “He’s just a nasty, raw guy and I love his game. And he’s just a baby.”
Holmes lists Sanders as his favorite famous athlete on his UCLA biography. It’s easy to see why. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was a dynamic two-way player in high school, finishing his senior year at Calabasas High with 69 receptions for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns, but will get his start at UCLA as a defensive back.
Holmes ran with the first-string defense during spring camp. He’s a natural, Young said. The senior linebacker recalled moments during spring practice when Holmes played like a veteran, disguising coverages by showing blitz before the snap.
“He was doing things that you just don’t see very often,” Young said.
Holmes has a chance to start as a true freshman. He was the team’s first-choice nickelback during spring practice and might lock down the starting cornerback spot, where he’s currently battling with Denzel Fisher and Colin Samuel.
Along with fellow five-star prospect Jaelan Phillips at defensive end, the Bruins might have two true freshmen in the starting lineup this season on defense.
“They’ll push for starting positions,” head coach Jim Mora said of the pair of young stars. “And we’re not afraid to play them, if they’re the guys who can be successful.”
Mora hasn’t lost sight of Holmes’ potential impact on offense, but won’t rush the freshman before he has a chance to find his niche at UCLA. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch has already concocted plays for Holmes and those will come out when the time is right.
“We need him to master being the defensive back at corner and nickel,” Mora said. “We just have to make sure we’re monitoring it so we give Darnay the best chance to have the individual success. You want a guy like that to have the ball in his hands.”