Gavin Holmes enjoys Tempe visit
The relationships and interpersonal aspects often get overshadowed in the recruiting process a prospect goes through. Nonetheless, these are factors that certainly didn't go unnoticed by Justin (Tex.) Northwest wide receiver Gavin Holmes who visited ASU this past weekend.
“The highlight of the visit for me was just hanging out with the Texas guys,” Holmes said, “picking their brain about the school. Ryan (Newsome) and John (Humphrey) are transfers and they said that they wished that they came here (to ASU) first. They said the coaches will really take care of you and will be straight up with you and tell you the truth from day one. They feel like this is home. Eno (Benjamin) has been there for just a week and he said that the coaches lived up to what they said they would be. They were legit from the beginning. They all like it there a lot.
“The campus is amazing. The weather is beautiful. The players get a lot of academic support and that’s big for me as well. I enjoyed talking to some of the professors there and the academic support staff. I really feel that at Arizona State I will be taken care of with the academic aspect of it. I loved everything about the visit and really felt at home there. I would definitely consider Arizona State.”
As a senior Holmes, who was named the Offensive MVP of the 6-5A district posted 83 receptions for 1,549 yards and 15 touchdowns. On special teams, he had two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. The wide receiver reported a 40-time of 4.38 seconds.
“The coaches said that they needed another burner,” Holmes described, “another guy that can take the top off. That’s where they see me come in and playing inside/outside. Ryan is going to be the main slot guy but they need another slot guy. They said that they are looking for guys with my skill set and speed, and good ball skills. But once they really got to know me as a person, they said that I’m a player that they really want.
“I’m a player that is able to change direction really well. I’m not a 6-4 wide receiver but I definitely feel like I play like one. I can go on the outside and catch jump balls. I definitely burn DB’s too.”
Holmes mentioned that he responds the best to one specific coaching style and that was another facet of his visit that resonated very well with him.
“Coach Graham was as straight up with me as he could be,” Holmes commented. “He said that he would push me to the limit if I ended up there, and that’s good. I feel like I perform better when I have somebody pushing me. He told straight up that it wouldn’t be easy and that he’s hard on his players to make them better. He said the higher I climb up the rankings, the harder he will be on me like he is with all of his players. That’s something that does pay off in the long run.”
Aside from ASU Holmes is down to just two other schools at this point of his recruitment, Nebraska who he visited last month and Baylor who he will visit on Friday.
“I’m not sure if Baylor will be my last visit,” Holmes said. “I could also visit Notre Dame or UCLA. If my Baylor is my last visit I will make my decision next week.
“All of these schools are great and each has its pros and cons. At the end of the day, I will talk to my family and go where my heart tells me to go. Right now I pretty much have an idea (where he wants to commit) there are just a couple more places I want to see before I make that decision. I know I will make the best decision for myself.”
