JUCO defensive lineman will officially visit...J.J. Holmes

wildcatman26

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2006
12,204
1,991
0
https://kentucky.n.rivals.com/news/juco-defensive-lineman-will-officially-visit

Justin Rowland, Publisher
In an ideal world Kentucky would be able to recruit junior college players sparingly. The coaches are picky in that regard as it is, but sometimes circumstances demand that they make an aggressive search for players taking that route.

Kentucky has recruited junior college players on the defensive line more than players at any other position group. They've got a new JUCO target in the trenches with Signing Day approaching, and he's got an official set up.

J.J. Holmes is the new JUCO defensive line target for the Cats and it's recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Vince Marrow who has led the charge.

That's fitting, because Marrow is the coach who successfully recruited Holmes' teammate at Hutchinson, four-star offensive tackle Tate Leavitt.

"Me and Tate are real close," Holmes told Cats Illustrated when he was asked about the nature of their relationship.

While they're close, Leavitt has given Holmes space to work the recruiting process how he wants, and he hasn't flooded the zone with information about the Wildcats. Holmes appreciates that approach and the more overbearing alternative is unnecessary, because he already has a lot of interest in the Cats.

Holmes told Cats Illustrated he is "95-percent sure (he) would commit" if Kentucky does offer him. That's significant because there's ample reason to believe an offer is a real possibility.

"I'm supposed to be (officially) visiting on Jan. 22," Holmes confirmed.

That's the only official visit Holmes has scheduled, although he said he's recently been in contact with a large number of schools including Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa, Iowa State, USF, UCF and Western Kentucky. Holmes is to visit South Florida on Jan. 15.

Marrow is in frequent contact with Holmes, as is defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot.

"They've just been working on getting me out there for a visit," Holmes said. "They started recruiting me maybe like a month ago. I've talked to them a bunch. I like Kentucky because I've got a couple of homeboys that go there ... guys who are from where I'm from. I actually played (against) Denzil Ware when we played basketball in high school. I know he's a defensive end and linebacker up there."
 

Rhavic

Heisman
Dec 15, 2014
33,221
23,093
68
Think Kentucky will offer him, and I'll be glad if we get him on-board. He's nearly 320# and has some pretty insane athleticism for that size. Terrific frame to boot. You can look at him and you wouldn't think that he's actually around 320. He's not completely raw either (which is refreshing for players as athletic as he is, with the weight that he carries). He has a few go-to moves to work with to get into the backfield.
Excited to get him on campus. I think if I had to pick 2 more players in the class for Kentucky to pick up, it would be this kid at the DT position, and D'Anfernee McGriff at the RB position.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jlpj1

Gary4UK

All-American
Jun 20, 2004
27,816
6,385
0
https://kentucky.n.rivals.com/news/juco-defensive-lineman-will-officially-visit

Justin Rowland, Publisher
In an ideal world Kentucky would be able to recruit junior college players sparingly. The coaches are picky in that regard as it is, but sometimes circumstances demand that they make an aggressive search for players taking that route.

Kentucky has recruited junior college players on the defensive line more than players at any other position group. They've got a new JUCO target in the trenches with Signing Day approaching, and he's got an official set up.

J.J. Holmes is the new JUCO defensive line target for the Cats and it's recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Vince Marrow who has led the charge.

That's fitting, because Marrow is the coach who successfully recruited Holmes' teammate at Hutchinson, four-star offensive tackle Tate Leavitt.

"Me and Tate are real close," Holmes told Cats Illustrated when he was asked about the nature of their relationship.

While they're close, Leavitt has given Holmes space to work the recruiting process how he wants, and he hasn't flooded the zone with information about the Wildcats. Holmes appreciates that approach and the more overbearing alternative is unnecessary, because he already has a lot of interest in the Cats.

Holmes told Cats Illustrated he is "95-percent sure (he) would commit" if Kentucky does offer him. That's significant because there's ample reason to believe an offer is a real possibility.

"I'm supposed to be (officially) visiting on Jan. 22," Holmes confirmed.

That's the only official visit Holmes has scheduled, although he said he's recently been in contact with a large number of schools including Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa, Iowa State, USF, UCF and Western Kentucky. Holmes is to visit South Florida on Jan. 15.

Marrow is in frequent contact with Holmes, as is defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot.

"They've just been working on getting me out there for a visit," Holmes said. "They started recruiting me maybe like a month ago. I've talked to them a bunch. I like Kentucky because I've got a couple of homeboys that go there ... guys who are from where I'm from. I actually played (against) Denzil Ware when we played basketball in high school. I know he's a defensive end and linebacker up there."
We need every decent D-linemen that we can get for next year, especially one that has played better competition than high school players... He's ready to come in and help some, even though it usually takes two years, maybe we'll hit it lucky... I'm hoping that Elam will be working hard from now to the beginning of the season... I would get people to follow the guy around if I were Stoops..... We need him in shape to get off the line quick and make a push into the back field....
 

UKfan2151

All-American
Oct 1, 2003
14,064
8,372
113
He's 320 lbs and athletic? Then go ahead and sign him up! Between him and Elam, surely we can adequately replace Melvin Lewis.
 

Mr Schwump

Heisman
Nov 4, 2006
29,563
23,097
18
https://kentucky.n.rivals.com/news/juco-defensive-lineman-will-officially-visit

Justin Rowland, Publisher
In an ideal world Kentucky would be able to recruit junior college players sparingly. The coaches are picky in that regard as it is, but sometimes circumstances demand that they make an aggressive search for players taking that route.

Kentucky has recruited junior college players on the defensive line more than players at any other position group. They've got a new JUCO target in the trenches with Signing Day approaching, and he's got an official set up.

J.J. Holmes is the new JUCO defensive line target for the Cats and it's recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Vince Marrow who has led the charge.

That's fitting, because Marrow is the coach who successfully recruited Holmes' teammate at Hutchinson, four-star offensive tackle Tate Leavitt.

"Me and Tate are real close," Holmes told Cats Illustrated when he was asked about the nature of their relationship.

While they're close, Leavitt has given Holmes space to work the recruiting process how he wants, and he hasn't flooded the zone with information about the Wildcats. Holmes appreciates that approach and the more overbearing alternative is unnecessary, because he already has a lot of interest in the Cats.

Holmes told Cats Illustrated he is "95-percent sure (he) would commit" if Kentucky does offer him. That's significant because there's ample reason to believe an offer is a real possibility.

"I'm supposed to be (officially) visiting on Jan. 22," Holmes confirmed.

That's the only official visit Holmes has scheduled, although he said he's recently been in contact with a large number of schools including Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa, Iowa State, USF, UCF and Western Kentucky. Holmes is to visit South Florida on Jan. 15.

Marrow is in frequent contact with Holmes, as is defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot.

"They've just been working on getting me out there for a visit," Holmes said. "They started recruiting me maybe like a month ago. I've talked to them a bunch. I like Kentucky because I've got a couple of homeboys that go there ... guys who are from where I'm from. I actually played (against) Denzil Ware when we played basketball in high school. I know he's a defensive end and linebacker up there."

So a no-go on Pringle?
 

JPFisher

Heisman
Jul 24, 2013
6,112
10,826
113
Good: strong enough to bull rush and fast/quick enough to out-maneuver Offensive Tackles (as a DT, that's pretty impressive). Also strong enough to call for double-teams and seems to be able to deal with them. Does not give up on plays.

Could improve: a go-to move besides bull rush. He releases from blocks moderately well, but could really improve with some technique.

They're highlights so can't tell much more. He's a solid player and someone I think we'd be very happy to land.

I'm not an expert, but the stuff he needs to work on can be fixed easily.
 

Anjiejo

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2007
1,170
137
0
Is this there fall back guy at dline?? Seem like he has a lot to like and work with..could develope into a good player..
 

DaBossIsBack

All-Conference
Jun 28, 2013
3,359
1,991
0
Think Kentucky will offer him, and I'll be glad if we get him on-board. He's nearly 320# and has some pretty insane athleticism for that size. Terrific frame to boot. You can look at him and you wouldn't think that he's actually around 320. He's not completely raw either (which is refreshing for players as athletic as he is, with the weight that he carries). He has a few go-to moves to work with to get into the backfield.
Excited to get him on campus. I think if I had to pick 2 more players in the class for Kentucky to pick up, it would be this kid at the DT position, and D'Anfernee McGriff at the RB position.
Mcgriff a possibility? If so what are we recruiting him as?
 

Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
39,869
60,196
113
Pringle was supposedly trying to finish up before classes start this week. I suspect he is still a possibility.
 

TJS4UK

Junior
Jun 27, 2002
6,789
281
83
Mcgriff a possibility? If so what are we recruiting him as?

Rowland tweeted something about UK & a former FL signee. The pic was of a current FL player though, but that doesn't make any sense. The only logical conclusion is that it's McGriff (especially with others mentioning him). He went to prep school & reportedly got the test score that he needed, but no idea about his GPA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DaBossIsBack

DaBossIsBack

All-Conference
Jun 28, 2013
3,359
1,991
0
Rowland tweeted something about UK & a former FL signee. The pic was of a current FL player though, but that doesn't make any sense. The only logical conclusion is that it's McGriff (especially with others mentioning him). He went to prep school & reportedly got the test score that he needed, but no idea about his GPA.
I watched his film. He can play a number of positions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TJS4UK

TJS4UK

Junior
Jun 27, 2002
6,789
281
83
So a no-go on Pringle?

I don't know this for a fact, but I am guessing that Pringle might have only been a take if he can enroll early. If they have to go the spring/summer route, it sounds like it might be Holmes instead. But all of that is just a guess.
 

hmt5000

Heisman
Aug 29, 2009
26,976
82,650
0
I like this guy's tape better than Pringle.but Pringle looks to be able to help us at NT more... so I'm perplexed.