PowerMizzou.com will try to speak to all of Missouri's first-year players during the course of fall camp. Today, we chat with freshman cornerback Christian Holmes.
How has the adjustment gone in your first few weeks and months on campus?
"Coaches have prepared us pretty well during the summer so now it's just enjoying camp and learning things every day."
Did you get up here in June and go through the whole summer program?
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Was it tough?
"Yeah, it was pretty tough, but we all know coach Cutchlow, he wants us to be better so we just listen to what he has to say and do everything he wants us to do and it worked out for us."
How anxious were you to put the pads on and play some actual football?
"We were pretty anxious. Day by day, we've always talked about it, the freshman class. Now that we're out here, we're all just grinding."
Who have been the guys you've leaned on to get you up to speed and help you feel comfortable?
"Coaches wise, it's been coach Cliff (Odom) and coach Sam (Carter), but other than that it's just been the freshman class and all the corners."
I know you could have played any number of positions, but it's been cornerback all the way?
"That's what they told me along, but that's why I came. That's what I wanted to play too."
Do you have any indication yet if you might have a chance to play and skip the redshirt this year?
"Right now we're all getting reps right now with the twos so we're just trying to stay focused, learn and get better at my craft every day."
What's the biggest difference you notice practicing at this level versus high school?
"The speed. Tempo. Just every little thing is important. The coach too, the defense, it's a lot different than high school."
I think you guys have about 25 receivers. Is there anybody you're going up against every day that has really stood out?
"Really all the receivers, the whole receiving corps is nice. Nobody catches my eye because they're all good. All good downfield, good body control, so going against anybody really just gets you right."
PROGRESS REPORT
Greg Brown on Christian Holmes: "He's one of them in the fray. There's a bunch of them that are all trying to throw their hat in the ring. Christian's one of them along with about eight other guys."
