Holmes Makes His Decision

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei offensive lineman Khaled Holmes decided to end his recruitment on Saturday and he'll follow a family member to their alma mater...

As Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei lineman Khaled Holmes drove up to the Coliseum on Saturday, he didn’t have any idea that he would make a decision to attend USC.

But as the game went on, Holmes knew it was time, so he had a word with the Trojan coaches in the locker room following the game.

“After the game, in the locker room, I spoke to most of the coaches and I told them I was committing to them,” said Holmes. “They were all pretty happy. There were lots of hugs.”

The commitment of Holmes to the Trojans had been expected for some time; the Trojans were his childhood favorite and his leader for most of his recruitment. But Holmes had waited until the moment felt right to commit to USC.

“I was at the game, and I had a great feeling all day, it was just one of those feelings. I didn’t have anything planned on my way up but as soon as I walked on the field I kind of new. It just got bigger as the day went on,” said Holmes. “So I committed after the game.”

Since he was a youngster watching his older brother, Alex, play for the Trojans, Holmes had envisioned himself in the cardinal and gold. He talked to his brother after he committed and got some good natured ribbing.

“He was pretty happy, but he said ‘its about time, why’d you make me wait so long,” said Holmes.

Holmes said the Trojan coaches will bring him in as a guard, and he’s the fifth offensive lineman to commit to what is shaping up as the best offensive line haul in the country. Holmes joins Daniel Campbell, Matt Meyer, Matt Kalil and Tyron Smith to commit up front.

“I definitely feel a weight being lifted,” said Holmes.

Next month, Holmes will play in the ESPN All-American Game in Orlando and then he’ll call it a prep career.

“I’m looking forward to playing in that, and getting to know some of the other (USC) commits off the field,” said Holmes.