NFL Draft Prospect Darnay Holmes Discusses Staying Positive, Achieving Goals During Pandemic UCLA cornerback Darnay Holmes isn't letting the coronavirus impede his ability to stay in shape and stay focused on getting drafted.

It takes special dedication, work ethic, and mental strength to graduate from college in two years. It’s even more of an accomplishment to graduate in two years while playing Division I. That’s exactly what UCLA cornerback, Darnay Holmes, set as his goal in high school. He achieved that goal just 24 months later.

Holmes admitted maintaining success on the field while also sustaining success in the classroom was “definitely a grind but definitely prepared me to be who I am today.”

That same mindset of setting a goal and working tirelessly to achieve it, is also helping Holmes set his sights on his rookie season. As for his first year as a professional football player, Holmes told Sports Illustrated he’s “ready to be a sponge, be a player that is going to be around the veteran players…be a leader of my group…also be somebody that makes an impression mentally with my work ethic…be accountable to myself, be accountable to the organization…and be a teammate that is always team oriented.”

With every new aspiration comes setbacks, none more prevalent than those caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Holmes’ Pro-Day was canceled. All of his scheduled visits with NFL teams have been restructured. His training routine completely interrupted.

But for the 21-year-old defensive back, those challenges are met with creative solutions. Instead of in-person visits, he has interviews via Zoom and FaceTime. Holmes acknowledged the difficulties of not being able to meet in person but stressed the importance of “being able to express yourself…be yourself..and show them that you are actually a student of the game and that you love this game.”

As for staying in shape, he uses a deck of cards to help him exercise. He first learned of the 52 card workout while watching motivational videos from Ray Lewis. Holmes says he went to sleep every night in ninth grade while watching videos of Lewis delivering inspirational messages. Staying in “tip-top shape” during the pandemic in order to perform in the NFL once given the opportunity was one of the main messages coaches gave the 5-foot-10, 195-pound cornerback.

Holmes ran a 4.48 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine. In Kevin Hanson’s latest Mock Draft, he predicts the Denver Broncos will select Holmes with the 95th overall pick.

MORE FROM SI:

NFC South Win Totals

NFC East Win Totals

NFC North Win Totals

NFC West Win Totals

AFC West Win Totals

AFC South Win Totals

AFC North Win Totals

AFC East Win Totals