FIRST
ROUND
SANTONIO
HOLMES
Wide
Receiver
Ohio State University Buckeyes
5:10.5-189
Hollywood, Florida
McArthur High
School
1st Round –
25th Overall
OVERVIEW
Holmes has been a consistent deep
threat for the Buckeyes since stepping into the starting lineup during the later
stages of his redshirt freshman season…He is a fluid runner with the burst to
get to top speed instantly…He began his career as a flanker, but came into his
own as a junior after shifting to split end…Holmes was a three-year starter who
helped Glades Central High School to state titles his sophomore and junior years
and a 12-1 record his senior campaign…He had 33 receptions for 970 yards (29.3
avg) and 10 touchdowns during his final season (2005)…Santonio was named the MVP
of the Outback Steakhouse All-Star Game, after making five catches for 121 yards
and a score…He also played in the California-Florida All-Star Game…The
three-sport star also lettered in basketball and ran track…The track team won
the state title his junior year and the basketball team was runner-up his senior
season…His 4x400 meter relay team won the state title his junior and senior
years…Holmes committed late to Ohio State in 2002…He saw minimal action during
the first half of the 2003 campaign before a season-ending injury to Drew Carter
forced the staff to insert Santonio at flanker for the final four games…He
responded with 32 catches for 549 yards (17.2 avg) and seven touchdowns, adding
30 yards on seven punt returns. Santonio started every game at flanker in
2004…He led the team with 55 receptions for 769 yards (14.0 avg) and seven
touchdowns, earning All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors…He averaged 23.2
yards on eight kickoff returns and 10.7 yards on 20 punt returns with a score…He
amassed 1,188 all-purpose yards and recorded a pair of solo tackles…Holmes
collected first-team All-Big Ten honors as a junior…He shifted to split end and
again led the Buckeyes with 977 yards and 11 touchdowns on 53 grabs (18.4
avg)…He totaled 141 yards on eleven punt returns (12.8 avg) and 239 yards on 11
kickoff returns (21.7 avg)…Santonio also registered 1,357 all-purpose yards per
game…In 36 games at Ohio State, Holmes started 28 times…He finished fifth in
school history with 140 receptions for 2,295 yards and third with 25 touchdown
grabs…He returned 38 punts for 385 yards (10.1 avg) and a score, adding 19
kickoff returns for 425 yards (22.4 avg)…Santonio rushed three times for 18
yards and recorded three solo tackles…He touched the ball 200 times during his
career, gaining 3,123 all-purpose yards… Is the cousin of Jacksonville Jaguars
running back Fred Taylor.
CAREER
NOTES
Ranks fifth in school history with
140 receptions, topped only by David Boston (191, 1996-98), Cris Carter (168,
1984-86), Michael Jenkins (165, 2000-03) and Gary Williams (154, 1979-82)…His
2,295 yards receiving rank behind Jenkins (2,898), Boston (2,855), Williams
(2,792) and
Carter (2,725) on Ohio State's
all-time record list…His 25 touchdown catches are surpassed only by Boston (34)
and Carter (27) in school history…Gained 3,123 all-purpose yards, becoming the
12th Buckeye to gain over 3,000 yards in a career…Had at least two
receptions in 30 consecutive games.
2005
SEASON
All-Big Ten Conference first-team
selection…Shifted to split end, staring every game…Led the team with 53
receptions for 977 yards (18.4 avg) and eleven touchdowns…Only David Boston
(1,436 in 1998), Terry Glenn (1,411 in 1995), Cris Carter (1,127), Michael
Jenkins (1,076) and Dee Miller (981 in 1997) gained more yards receiving in a
season for the Buckeyes…His 11 scoring grabs are topped only by Boston (14 in
1997 and 13 in 1998) and Glenn (17 in 1995) on the school's season-record
list…Returned 11 punts for 141 yards (12.8 avg) and 11 kickoffs for 239 yards
(21.7 avg)…Scored 66 points and amassed 1,357 all-purpose yards…Gained over 100
yards receiving in the Michigan State, Indiana and Notre Dame (Fiesta Bowl)
contests…19 of his receptions were good for 20 yards or
longer.
2004
SEASON
Second-team All-Big Ten Conference
choice…Started all year at flanker, leading the team with a career-high 55
receptions, good for 769 yards (14.0 avg) and seven touchdowns… Rushed twice for
19 yards and scored 48 points…Returned 20 punts for 214 yards (10.7 avg) and a
score…Added 186 yards on eight kickoff returns (23.2 avg), finishing with 1,188
all-purpose yards…Gained over 200 yards receiving vs. Marshall…Eight of his
receptions were for 20 yards or longer.
2003
SEASON
Saw mop-up duty most of the season,
but took over at flanker for the team's final four games when starter, Drew
Carter, was lost for the season with a knee injury…Finished with 32 receptions
for 549 yards and a team-high 17.2-yard average, producing seven
touchdowns…Carried once for a 1-yard loss, recorded a solo tackle and returned
seven punts for 30 yards…Had nine catches for 20 yards or
longer.
2002
SEASON
Redhirted as a freshman, performing
on the scout team.
HIGH
SCHOOL
Attended Glades Central
(Belle Glade, Fla.) High School, playing football for
head coach Willie Bueno…Three-year starter who helped Glades Central to state
titles his sophomore and junior years and a 12-1 record his senior campaign…Had
33 receptions for 970 yards (29.3 avg) and ten touchdowns during his final
season…Named the MVP of the Outback Steakhouse All-Star Game, after making five
catches for 121 yards and a score…Also played in the California-Florida All-Star
Game…The three-sport star also lettered in track and basketball…The track team
won the state title his junior year and the basketball team was runner-up his
senior season…His 4x400 meter relay team won the state title his junior and
senior years.
PERSONAL
General Studies major…Single, has
two sons: Santonio III and Nicori...Son of Patricia Brown and Santonio Holmes,
Sr…Second cousin of Jacksonville Jaguars All-Pro running back Fred Taylor...Born
3/03/84…Resides in Belle Glade, Florida.
