Cheshire Academy's C.J. Holmes Makes Visit to UConn

CJ Holmes had three offers a year ago, from Temple, UConn and Boston College, which is quite impressive considering he sat out his sophomore season with an injury. After a strong summer on the camp circuit, he had a lot more schools interested in him, though. By the end of his junior season at Cheshire Academy (CT), the athlete prospect's offer list started growing.

Holmes has since added offers from Mississippi State, Tennessee, Rutgers and Syracuse, with schools like Maryland and Penn State also showing interest.

Despite his growing profile as a national recruit, Holmes still felt like making a visit to UConn and is seriously considering the Huskies for a variety of reasons.

“I felt that I want to keep my home team, UConn, in my mind and in my thoughts because at this point in my recruitment I honestly don’t know where I’ll end up,” Holmes said in an interview after his visit.

Holmes made the trip up with some of his teammates at Cheshire Academy—seven others to be exact—along with head coach David Dykeman. Four other players held offers from UConn. Samuel Vretman, an offensive lineman who UConn has also offered, and a few others were making their first visit up to Storrs.

“They loved it,” Holmes said of his teammates’ reactions. “They can’t wait to go back.”

Though he can play on either side of the ball in college, and is mostly being recruited as an athlete, Holmes would also make a great addition to any team’s defense as a safety with his hitting ability and closing speed. He’s also a very strong returner.

At UConn, Holmes met with the offensive coordinator Frank Verducci to discuss his fit in their scheme.

“We basically just talked about how they felt I was very versatile,” he said. “And how I can impact their offense.”

Holmes and his teammates had a chance to check out one of UConn’s offseason workouts, and also try out some of the jerseys and helmets. He really liked the Huskies' alternate gray uniforms, and was also impressed by the workout which he witnessed.

“It was intense, high energy and filled with passion,” he said.

With another year to go in his recruitment, and one more season to put some good film down with a growing and improving team around him, Holmes still has a way to go before hitting his ceiling. He will be attending Rivals and The Opening camps as well this offseason.