19 Corey Holmes

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Pos: RB
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 190
College: Mississippi Valley State
Years Rider: 2
Years Pro: 2

Hometown: Greenville, Mississippi

2002 Preseason: Was impressive last season in spot duty while RB Darren Davis was out with injuries. Has a legitimate chance to become a starter this season, with Davis being traded to Edmonton.

Scouting Report: SWAC All-Conference in his senior year when he rushed for 1,167 yards and 10 TDs on 189 carries. Could be a serious challenger to RB Darren Davis and RB Rock Preston.

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COREY HOLMES
By: Dave-Te' Thomas

#20-COREY HOLMES Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils 5:07.5-187

ANALYSIS
Positives... Compactly built athlete with a well-defined frame...Has explosive initial quickness and incredible awareness of his surroundings...Shows great hole vision and makes immediate decisions heading up the rush lanes...Despite his frame, he has impressive leg drive and power through the holes...Gets into second gear in a flash turning the corner, displaying superb initial cutback ability...Has that snap and sudden change of direction agility to make tacklers miss... Gains separation quickly running routes and shows good arm extension going up to make the catch...Runs at a very low pad level, showing tremendous shake and wiggle to elude...Has a very strong and accurate arm for the option pass...Can also return kicks.

Negatives... Size is a big drawback, limiting him to third-down duties at the pro level (or a possible switch to receiver)...While showing a willingness to face up to the defenders, he lacks the overall strength to be effective as a blocker.

CAREER NOTES
Two-year standout for the Delta Devils...Began his career at Mississippi Delta Community College, sitting out the 1998 season before emerging as one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's most electrifying players over the course of the last two seasons...Even though he only spent two years at Mississippi Valley, he finished his career with 527 carries for 2897 yards (5.5 avg) and 21 touchdowns, breaking the school's all-time record of 2851 yards by Carl Bynum (1982-85)...Added 226 yards on 31 receptions (7.3 avg).

SWAC names Holmes MVP

JAMES JONES
THE SUN HERALD

Mississippi Valley State running back Corey Holmes is the SWAC's offensive player of the year for the second straight season.

The Metcalf native rushed for a SWAC-best 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was a bright spot in a dismal 2-9 season for the Delta Devils.

Last season, Holmes rushed for a SWAC-best 1,692 yards and 11 touchdowns to earn his first SWAC offensive player of the year award.

"It's a dream that has come true for me," he said. "I've worked hard at being the best I can be on and off the field. My hard work paid off."

Holmes, since arriving from Mississippi Delta Community College, has set four school rushing records: rushing yards in a season (1,692), career yards (2,897), rushing attempts in a game (51) and attempts in a season (331).

Valley coach LaTraia Jones considers the 5-foot-9-inch Holmes one of the best players he's coached.

"Corey is the type of guy you'd want to have on any team," Jones said. "You rarely come across a player like Corey. He's one of those guys who leads by example and not by talk."