The Falcons have put a premium on offensive linemen on Day 2 of the 2012 NFL Draft, selecting OT Lamar Holmes from Southern Miss after taking Wisconsin center/guard Peter Konz in the second round.
Holmes, 6-6, 333 pounds, had a solid Combine, running a 5.3 40-yard dash and recording 22 reps on the bench.
Holmes played two seasons at Southern Miss after transferring from Itawamba Community College following the 2009 campaign. He was named a team captain by his teammates after transferring from junior college because of his work ethic. As a senior, earned first team All-Conference USA honors after paving the way for the Golden Eagles to post more than 6,000 yards of total offense for the first time in school history. Holmes protected QB Austin Davis' blind side, helping the quarterback throw for 3,496 yards with 30 touchdowns, and blocked for a rushing attack that averaged 205.1 yards per game.
In his first season at Southern Miss, Holmes played in 12 games with five starts and helped Davis earn second team All-Conference USA honors after throwing for 3,103 yards. He also played two seasons at Itawamba Community College, where he earned NJCAA Preseason All-America honors prior to the 2009 season and was a first-team MACJC North pick during his freshman campaign. Rivals.com ranked Holmes as a four-star performer and the number 18 junior college player in the nation. Prior to arriving at Itawamba, he was a standout performer at Huss High School in North Carolina.
Links
- Lamar Holmes on Twitter: @teamholmes7256
- Holmes discusses his transition from community college to Southern Miss
- Holmes on the issue of paying college football players to play
- Holmes gives a final presentation for a sports culture class at Southern Miss
- Holmes takes a swing pass and scores a TD against Central Florida
- PHOTOS: Lamar Holmes photos
