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UCLA Football: 5 freshmen who could have instant impacts in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 17: A general view of a UCLA Bruins helmet during the game between the Bruins and the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 17: A general view of a UCLA Bruins helmet during the game between the Bruins and the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Wide receiver Darreus Rogers #1 of the USC Trojans makes a 15 yard reception in front of defensive back Jaleel Wadood #2 of the UCLA Bruins during the second quarter at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Wide receiver Darreus Rogers #1 of the USC Trojans makes a 15 yard reception in front of defensive back Jaleel Wadood #2 of the UCLA Bruins during the second quarter at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

One of the early enrollees in UCLA’s 2017 class has been an absolute star-in-the-making. Darnay Holmes been taking snaps with the first-team defense this fall and he’s in line to win the starting cornerback job opposite junior Nate Meadors. There’s plenty of talent in the secondary, but there’s a reason why just about every major program wanted Holmes.

After enrolling early, he has been on a mission to become a goal leader early on and improve in the weight room as well as on the field. He has been drawing major praise from the coaching staff and fellow players and it’d be shocking to see him do anything other than impact the defensive positively in 2017.

Holmes came in as a five-star from Calabasas, Calif., and committed to the Bruins over the likes of Ohio State, USC, Stanford and Michigan at the Army All-American Game back in January. Mora knew he got a guy who could start right away for his team.

Standing 5-foot-10, weighing in at about 190 pounds and possessing endless athleticism, Holmes will be an instant contributor for UCLA in 2017. Don’t be shocked if this kid takes the conference by storm and makes first-team All-Pac-12.

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