Versatile Holmes finally finds home at defensive end

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Wherever coaches have wanted Dwayne Holmes to play in his five years at MSU, he’s been more than willing to make the position audible.

Whether it’s on the defensive line as a quick end, on the offensive line as a tight end or in the backfield as a bruising fullback, Holmes has lined up and found playing time on Saturdays.

In his final season with the Spartans, Holmes has come full circle at defensive end — his third position in as many years. With injuries to starters Brandon Long and Trevor Anderson, the versatile Detroit native has seen the most playing time in his career since his freshman season.

“For me, there’s nothing hard about (switching positions),” said Holmes, a stocky 6-foot, 286-pounder. “For some people, it’s hard to do, and some people, they can’t do it. Luckily for me, it’s not that hard to do.”

For Holmes, a star high school running back who spent time as a defensive end during his redshirt season in 2003, the return to defense didn’t come easy at the beginning. He played through sore hands resulting from his new stance and had to learn a new playbook that caused him to pester defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi for guidance.

Holmes’ versatility was tested early in his career when he made the transition to tight end from defensive end in between his redshirt and freshman seasons.

As a rookie tight end, Holmes had his best season of his career to date, appearing in 11 games and making three catches — all for touchdowns. Holmes remained at tight end his sophomore season, tallying four starts and three catches, including two against Michigan.

But when then-MSU head coach John L. Smith was fired in November 2006, Holmes was a victim of new head coach Mark Dantonio’s offensive overhaul.

“When the coaches came in, they were trying to figure out where guys fit best at in their coaching scheme, so I had to find a place,” Holmes said. “It was kind of hard being shuffled in.”

Holmes lauded his pass-catching and blocking abilities in spring 2007 as he switched from tight end to fullback, but when the fall rolled around, Holmes found himself on the sidelines. He played in two of MSU’s first three games, but never saw the field after September.

“I knew one day that I would see the field again,” Holmes said. “It was just a matter of time. You can’t deny talent and you can’t deny a ball player. You just have patience and have to wait, and as you can see, I’m starting to gradually get out there.”

In the spring, Holmes moved back to defensive end, allowing him to get back on the field.

Junior linebacker Adam Decker, who often defended Holmes in practice when he was a tight end, remembered Holmes’ bruising style as a tight end, which now serves him as a fellow Spartan defender.

“He used to beat up on me a little bit, but when he moved over to defense, you could tell he wanted to get on the field and was eager to learn,” said Decker, who is starting for the first time this season. “He worked real hard and it’s unbelievable how much he has progressed.”

Through five weeks this season, Holmes has started one game — the season opener at California. He made two tackles in the loss, while also gaining valuable experience in Dantonio’s defensive system.

“Going into the summer, he was always saying, ‘Coach, I need a walk-through,’” Narduzzi said. “I said to him after practice (last week), ‘Hey Dwayne, you good?’ and he said, ‘I don’t need a walk-through anymore, coach.’ He’s obviously solidified himself at the defensive end spot and he’ll get some reps in.”

Holmes is unlikely to move from his defensive end spot this season, but if coaches need a spot fill-in at any position, Holmes could be an option.

“I would classify (Holmes) as a football player. He could probably play any position besides quarterback,” said senior defensive tackle Justin Kershaw, who has helped tutor the newest defensive end this year. “When he started playing defense, he was natural at it. He needed to work on little things like technique and stuff like that, but I knew that he had potential.”

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