The best game plan for Ross included Holmes on field on both sides of ball
The best defense Fremont Ross could put on the field included Kaden Holmes at corner.
Holmes has so many tricks in his feet at quarterback, a wizard would be envious. Then, in two shakes of a newt's tail, he can wave a wand with his wrist to zap a throw 40 yards, only to land softly on a receiver's hands.
Not surprisingly, it remains a question what position Holmes will play in college. He knows where that decision will be made, however, as he heads to Toledo with athlete designation as a preferred walk-on.
"It comes down to what they see me playing," he said. "I can play multiple positions. I want to play quarterback. It might be defensive back. Get there, earn a full scholarship and show them what I can do. I'm open to being an athlete."
Various coaches are anxious to have Holmes for the North-South Game.
"The coaches know they can use him all over the field, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back," Ross coach Chad Long said. "Kaden is a special kid you don't get around often. You could see it in junior high, he had 'it.' He looked effortless when he runs and jukes somebody.
"His aspiration is quarterback. That's what he wants to do and Toledo is giving him that option. He's a lot like the quarterback [Dequan Finn] they just had. If you want to simulate the kid who just left, Kaden can do that."
College coordinators often deploy a 4-2-5 format, with five defensive backs.
"He could play man in the slot," Long said. "I could see that. He could play corner. He could play safety."
He finished with 8,318 yards passing, 3,600 more than second best in the program record book. He threw for 2,807 yards (first) as a junior, 2,575 yards (third) and 2,289 yards (fifth) this season.
He started four years at quarterback. He started in the secondary when healthy his final two years, but he played through injuries that relegated him to only quarterback, which was hard enough to grind through.
"My size, freshman year I was 145 pounds coming in," he said. "Knowing I had to work to get better, I wanted to do everything I could and show everyone I could do it as a freshman. The Start game, that was the only win. As a freshman, that was a great accomplishment and it felt like I was meant to be there.
"I wasn't surprised, but you're thrown out as a freshman, it's traumatizing. Getting that over with early and getting comfortable makes a big difference. That played a big part [in development]."
He tossed 33 touchdowns as a junior and sophomore (first) and 21 as a senior (fifth). Holmes completed 203 passes (first), including 31 in one game (second) as a junior.
He completed 629 passes, which is first by 300, in his career, including 38 in one game (first) as a sophomore and 29 (third) as a junior. He attempted 360 passes (first) as a junior and 329 (second) as a sophomore, including 58 in one game.
He passed for 517 yards (first) in one game and six touchdowns to tie predecessor Hayden Lehman. He had 300 or more in nine games, including four wins and 373 yards and three touchdowns in a postseason loss as a junior.
He had 293 yards and five touchdowns in a postseason loss to North Royalton as a senior.
"I tried to go out with a bang," he said.
He had six touchdown passes in a win over Oregon Clay as a junior, and five each against Lima Senior in wins his final two years.
He tossed Bryson Hammer a 75-yard touchdown. Hammer heads to Toledo as a receiver.
"I'm excited we're still going to play together," Holmes said. "His skill set and knowing he'll always be there. He'll run the route and I can get it there. It helped a lot. He bailed me out on a couple. It was a blessing.
"Whether I play quarterback or defense, we have that connection and we'll push each other knowing what we can do."
Hammer caught a go-ahead touchdown pass from Holmes with six seconds remaining against Findlay as seniors. Findlay returned the ensuing circus kickoff to win 50-48.
It was difficult for the team to recover emotionally after the first loss following five wins, but Holmes remembers the team's bond during the game.
"Everybody was still together," he said. "We didn't go our separate ways during the game. We came back and we should have won. We stuck together."
His 91 touchdown passes are twice as many as second place. Always trying to make a play and keep plays alive, he threw 42 interceptions, eight more than second most.
He loved an off-script scramble, but learned to relay on teammates as well.
"You can't do everything yourself," he said. "We have to do this."
He completed 57 percent of his passes for his career, second to quarterback coach Jalen Slick. He completed 84 percent of his passes (fourth) in games with at least 200 yards as a senior and 78 percent in such games his middle two years.
He was one of the program's all-time best when the ball stayed in his hands as well. He had 2,666 yards rushing for his career for sixth on the list, more than Rob Lytle, Tom Liggins and Terry Bates.
"He puts in the work," Long said. "He's had two quarterback coaches. You don't find that dedication."
Holmes was fifth in all-time carries at 456, including sacks. He scored 38 touchdowns on the ground for fourth.
He threw four touchdowns and rushed for three in a 47-18 home victory over Sandusky as a junior. Charles Woodson spent the game with the Little Giants.
"As a team, everybody's energy was up," Holmes said. "We all had our own energy inside. Just playing for everybody there, especially Charles Woodson. I had a different feeling in front of all those people."
He's seventh with 39 touchdowns overall, including an 11-yard scoring reception. He generated 3,796 yards of offense as a junior, including a touchdown from 70 yards in a win over Sandusky.
He amassed a whopping 10,995 yards of offense.
He considered athlete status at Penn State and a walk on and playing quarterback at Division I Football Championship Subdivision St. Francis. Toledo felt genuine.
"The coaches being honest, it goes a long way," Holmes said. "Get out and do something new. College life, the atmosphere will be great. It's nothing but a blessing and I'm grateful for everything."
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Kaden Holmes moves from Ross to Toledo football as versatile athlete
