By John Shinn
Lendy Holmes played eight different positions in high school and played both offense and defense in his first three years at Oklahoma. So his showing up to practice or a position meeting has always involved a bit of intrigue.
It didn’t surprise him when OU defensive backs coach Bobby Jack Wright told him at the beginning of preseason practice he was going to be moved to safety after a full season at cornerback.
“It wasn’t shock,” Holmes said. “It was just a deal where they were looking for an athlete and I consider myself an athlete.”
There’s no doubt of that. Since he first stepped on the field as a redshirt freshman in 2005, Holmes, a fourth-year junior, had been a wide receiver and kick returner before changing sides of the ball last season.
Every time there’s a hole that needs to be plugged, Holmes is a reliable option. He started 11 games last season at cornerback and had seven pass breakups.
“Lendy plays with great effort and he’s a great competitor. He wants to win every snap,” Wright said. “He has some playmaking ability and he brings it on every play.”
But the Sooner secondary is an ever-evolving group. Wright is always looking for ways to get his best athletes on the field at the same time. A look around the secondary shows moves have been early and, at times, often.
Besides Holmes, Reggie Smith is at cornerback after two seasons at strong safety. D.J. Wolfe is the starting strong safety after playing two seasons at cornerback. Free safety Darien Williams, who returned to practice Monday after recovering from an offseason foot injury, started his career as a cornerback.
Only cornerback Marcus Walker has been at the same position throughout his collegiate career.
Wright said versatility is a trait he’s always looking for.
“We do take a few guys, some of the top guys who show an aptitude for handling both, just in case we have some injuries,” Wright said. “You always want to be able to have your best guys out on the field.
“That’s the only reason we do it. We don’t ever want to just have to put the backup corner out on the field. We want to put the next best football player out there.”
Holmes’ athletic ability makes him difficult to leave on the sideline. But he’s never tried to get by on raw ability. A studious approach to the game could be his best asset.
Even though it wasn’t his job, he always tried to learn what every player had to do on the field. It helped when the latest switch was made.
“I knew the common stuff. Just chase the ball, make tackles and try to make big plays,” Holmes said. “Learning what position I needed to go to or what calls I have to make in the secondary took a little time. It didn’t take that long.”
Wright didn’t figure it would.
Holmes has made a position switch look the right decision since he’s been at OU. But after three switches in three years, he admits it can be a little challenging.
“It’s a good thing they give us notepads to write everything down so we can memorize it,” he said. “Without them, I’d be lost.”
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
