Notre Dame landed one of their top targets at running back in Connecticut multi-purpose running back CJ Holmes. The four-star prospect made the news official on Friday morning, releasing a video with Bleacher Report.
Holmes picked Notre Dame over finalists Alabama and Tennessee, and had impressive offers from schools like Michigan, UCLA and Penn State. He is commitment No. 14 for the Irish.
The Irish coaching staff, led by area recruiter Scott Booker and position coach Autry Denson, rolled out the red carpet for Holmes and his family at the Irish Invasion camp in late-June. A priority target for the Irish at the position, the visit all but sealed the deal for Holmes, who released multiple quotes that shared similar sentiments.
“I’m headed to the University of Notre Dame and to be honest, my gut was the biggest factor behind the decision,” Holmes told reporters at The Opening, according to Tom Loy of Irish247. “Leaving campus, I just had a feeling that Notre Dame was where I was supposed to be. I was infatuated with everything about the institution. I hadn’t felt like that anywhere else.”
As a running back, Holmes is often compared to recent third-rounder CJ Prosise. He’s smooth in all facets of the game, capable of splitting out wide, but at six-foot and 200 pounds, he’s carrying enough heft to profile as a between-the-tackles runner. Holmes is set to begin his career at running back when he gets to South Bend next summer, a different path that Prosise, who bounced from safety to wide receiver before finding a home for a season at running back.
Holmes is participating at The Opening, where he’ll now carry the flag for the Irish as their lone commitment participating. (That could change this weekend with offensive lineman Robert Hainsey predicted to pick Notre Dame.) We’ll get a better look at Holmes’ explosiveness and speed when he takes part in the SPARQ testing, running the 40-yard dash and participating in other power and speed drills as well.
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For more on the state of Notre Dame recruiting -- and an early prediction that proved right on Holmes -- give a listen to this week’s Blown Coverage, with special guest Tom Loy of Irish247.