Holmes and Mizzou a late match
Even in this day and age of increased exposure, sometimes there truly is such a thing as flying under the radar. Darvis Holmes is a good example.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive lineman (he also reports a 4.9 40-yard dash) graduated from Long County High School in Ludowici, GA last month. Due to questions about his academics throughout his senior year, nobody was really recruiting him. Holmes said he has actually been qualified and eligible all along, but his high school made an error in calculating his grades.
But Missouri uncovered him and he took a visit to Columbia this weekend.
“Missouri called about four days ago,” he said. “They said, ‘We need you, we want you.’ They brought me up on a visit and I loved it. Felt like home.”
He plans to sign scholarship papers with the Tigers on Sunday night and move back to Columbia to enroll in summer school this week.
Holmes, who started on both sides of the ball for three years in high school. He said Missouri is open to the idea of him playing on either said of the line.
“I’m pretty good at both,” he said. “I’m not cocky, but I’m pretty good at both.”
The Tigers have been battling depth issues on the offensive line throughout the spring and have been looking to add bodies at that position. Mizzou did get a commitment from junior college prospect Kyle Mitchell to help out. The Tigers were thought to be in good shape for North Carolina graduate transfer Will Dancy, but sources told PowerMizzou.com last week that appears unlikely now.
Holmes needed a school, Mizzou needed linemen. The perfect match came together quickly.
“I was hearing from SEC, ACC, Big Ten. I had a lot of big schools, but they weren’t really waiting for me,” Holmes said. “It was real late, I didn’t know what school I was going to.”
Holmes compared his visit this weekend to parents seeing their child after he has been away for a long period of time.
“It was just all love as soon as I came,” he said. “It was surprising.”
Holmes spoke to PowerMizzou.com on his way home from the Atlanta airport. He said he planned to sign with the Tigers “as soon as I get home.”
