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Photo by: Joey Meredith
GAMEDAY REWIND: Bryan Holmes
9/15/2015 10:14:00 AM | Football
Following each home game, TroyTrojans.com will post the feature stories from the previous weekend's edition of Gameday, the official Troy football game program.
On gameday, the program will be on sale at the Screentech booths, both on Tailgate Terrace and inside Veterans Memorial Stadium. There will also be program sellers throughout campus during the hours leading up to kickoff.
A self-proclaimed prankster, Bryan Holmes' teammates can always count on him for a few good laughs both on and off the field. However, as a kid, Holmes was known a little differently.
On gameday, the program will be on sale at the Screentech booths, both on Tailgate Terrace and inside Veterans Memorial Stadium. There will also be program sellers throughout campus during the hours leading up to kickoff.
A self-proclaimed prankster, Bryan Holmes' teammates can always count on him for a few good laughs both on and off the field. However, as a kid, Holmes was known a little differently.
"My first memory was when I was playing pop warner," Holmes said. "My coach was my uncle and he called me 'Scary', because I used to run away and never wanted to get the ball, but I was the fastest so they always tried to get me the ball. "
"One day, I just remember running out on the field and the quarterback just threw the ball at me. I caught it and I out-ran everyone to score my first touchdown. Ever since then, I liked (football) more. So, I kept working at it and got better."
Nowadays, Holmes has transformed from "Scary" into one of Troy's top receivers. In the first game of the season at NC State, Holmes caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.
In his junior season, Holmes led the Trojans with 474 receiving yards and five touchdown catches, which earned him an honorable mention spot on the All-Sun Belt team for the second straight year. His best performance of the year was in the Trojans' 34-17 win at Idaho, where he had touchdown catches of 51 and 41 yards on his way to 111 receiving yards.
A large part of his success can be credited to his support system: his family. When talking about his biggest influence growing up, he can't choose just one.
"I'd have to say my dad. I mean, my dad and my mom have been there for me since forever. They always encourage me, even when I'm down. My grandma, too. She has always been a big influence on me. So, I would say my family. They have all been a big influence on me, but especially my mom, dad and grandma. I can talk to them about anything."
According to Holmes, there is one thing he cannot live without, and that is his grandma, Mrs. Willie Mae Odem.
Family played a part when choosing a college, too. "I came from a small town, and Troy isn't that big. When I came on my visit it felt like home. Everyone was close and it felt like a family. I just fell in love with Troy. This team has great tradition, great fans and we're a family."
Holmes plans to leave a legacy behind of being a great friend and has hefty expectations for his team and himself this season.
"I look forward winning as a unit. Basically, not worrying about myself. If it is meant to happen for me, it'll happen. I really want to go to a bowl game, since I haven't been to one and I want to win the conference. I would like to have a great year, but it's more about the team. A great year for me would be 1,000 yards receiving, a good year on punt return and at least 15 touchdowns."
According to Holmes, his biggest accomplishment came this year from first-year head coach Neal Brown, and he doesn't want to let him down.
"When coach Brown told me I've played football better than I've ever played just this fall in fall camp. He said I listen more, and when I listen I'm the best player."
Once the season ends, Holmes will be wrapping up his final six hours of undergraduate work with high hopes of using his criminal justice degree, with a minor in human services, to become a U.S. Marshall where he can still use his speed to chase something else.
But, until then, you can find Holmes in his spare time trying to perfect a sauce for his ribs, his specialty when he grills, out fishing, or hanging out with his family – most likely finding some new way to make them laugh.
"A day in the life of Bryan Holmes," he says, "I just have fun all day. I keep myself going I'm always goofy. It makes the day easier."
Last but not least, Holmes has a message he'd like to share with all Trojan fans, "I want Troy fans to know I appreciate everything they do for me and I'm going to give it my all this year. RTW!"
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