Right guard Shawn Holmes Jr. is a sophomore with a passion for football and big dreams for a successful future. His hard has work paid off and has earned him visits from recruits from Montana State, UCLA, San Jose State University, Idaho State and his dream school, the University of Southern California.

After a tough childhood in San Jose he moved from his hometown to Los Banos. He played for Bryant Middle School as a right guard for his first year. He was a family oriented child and was inspired to play football by his cousins. He attended Weston Ranch High School, located in Stockton, where he played on the varsity football team for all four years of high school.

From Los Banos, Holmes moved back to San Jose and is now attending De Anza College as the team’s right guard. He is a very hard worker and a positive person and is currently working towards his Associate’s degree. His goal is to get a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and later work for his Master’s degree and become a correctional officer.

He is motivated by his family, in particular his mother, whom he considers the backbone of his life. Holmes is referred to as a true leader and likes to lead his team by example. He lives by the words “Go Big or Go Home” and feels that “things should be done to the fullest” and “never half step anything in life.”

“To have a good head on your shoulders and to be right mentally are strong aspects of a football player,” he says.

Although Holmes has accomplished a lot through hard work and strong leadership he is influenced by Michael Jordan. To Holmes, Jordan is a true heroic figure and he continues to strive for his dreams just as Jordan lived his. His favorite football player is running back Walter Peyton of the Chicago Bears.

He is proud of the way he handles the game and of the aggressive football player he is. Holmes is very focused on the sport not only while he is playing in a game, but when he watches football in his free time, he likes to concentrate on breaking and evaluating films. Holmes doesn’t fit the stereotype of the brawny football player.

His life consists of family (which includes three sisters), football and his dog. His family, friends and his surroundings are what make Holmes who he is.

“It takes a lot to break me down, [and] football relieves my stress,” said Holmes.

Holmes is now striving to become a football player for USC.