DeeJay Holmes, Who Led High School Football in Sacks, Signs With Ole Miss
The last visit before National Signing Day is always a good spot to be in and for Ole Miss it has paid off yet again.
DeeJay Holmes, the nation's leading sacker and record-setting Pahokee (Fla.) High School edge prospect, has made his commitment official with Lane Kiffin's program just days after wrapping up a weekend official visit in Oxford.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound pass rusher announced a verbal commitment to Ole Miss football over Colorado, Cincinnati, UCF and USF on Wednesday morning before signing with the Rebel program soon after.
"It was a great visit," Holmes recently told The Grove Report. "The best part was talking to coach Kiffin. He talked about wanting to see how I fit (at Ole Miss)."
Ole Miss signee DeeJay Holmes during his official visit
Courtesy of DeeJay Holmes
While in town for the final trip of his recruitment, Holmes was able to get more time with the newest assistant coach under Kiffin -- Pete Golding. The initial impression was a strong one.
"He's a great dude, really knows ball," Holmes said of Golding. "They see me as a stand-up edge or outside linebacker. They say I fit the spot and it's available.
"It (was) up to me if I want it or not."
The senior Floridian broke the Pahokee High School's sack record and set the pace nationally with 32.5 sacks as a senior in 2022. He tallied 19.5 more as a junior, per MaxPreps. Holmes' efforts as an upperclassman led to plenty of accolades, including back-to-back Palm Beach County Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Led by Holmes on defense, the Blue Devils won nine games and made a playoff push in 2022. He did so while sporting the No. 6 jersey, last worn by former NFL great Anquan Boldin at PHS. It had been retired prior to his cousin, Holmes, requesting to bring it back to Friday nights.
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