More from media day: Brohm wants intense, competitive camp; notebook

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Corey Holmes looks like he’s not sure how much to say.

It’s clear he’s at Purdue because he desperately wanted a fresh start, a place to prove his worth as a legitimately talented, playmaking wide receiver at a top level.

It’s clear, too, Holmes doesn’t think he got a fair shake at Notre Dame, where he spent the previous three seasons.

But Holmes is past that, right? As a college graduate now — he wrapped up classes in late July and has a degree in film and television — he’s ready to move on and focus on new opportunities ahead, in a new city, on a new campus, surrounded by new teammates and coaches.

And yet …

Holmes played in only 16 games over three seasons for the Irish, including a sophomore year that didn’t include him stepping on the field once, which ultimately meant he’d have two seasons of eligibility at his next stop. Last season, Holmes technically played in all 12 games and started four, but he had only 11 catches for 96 yards. He wasn’t utilized like he’d hoped to be.

“All that happened there was meant for a reason,” Holmes said before pausing, seemingly to collect his thoughts and decide how much to say about his time in South Bend. “It was a case where I might not have gotten what I deserve, but it’s all about how you deal with that adversity. I learned from that. You’ve got to control what you can control and just worry about yourself. I think that’s what I’m going to do here. I’m just going to worry about myself, come to work every single day, work hard and do all I can do to make myself better.

“I know what I’m capable of. I know the type of plays that I can make. With my speed and my ability to catch the ball, I feel as though I can be a playmaker.”

Holmes is convinced the struggle and frustration he endured at Notre Dame on the field, ultimately, benefited him.

Coach Jeff Brohm said he sees a player in Holmes who is "hungry to prove himself" and could have the skill set to help Purdue right away.

It'd seem in at least one area Holmes can do that. He meets an element the Boilermakers desperately needed: Speed.

Holmes said he was timed in the 40 this summer while he was training at Brandon Marshall’s Fit Speed complex in Florida — he didn’t get on Purdue’s campus until Sunday — and clocked at an astonishing 4.32. That time would have ranked ahead of all but three players who participated in the NFL Combine earlier this year.

“They knocked my 40 time down and they really got my speed right, got my strength right, got my conditioning right, so it was a very, very productive summer,” Holmes said Thursday at Purdue’s media day.

Purdue director of strength and conditioning Justin Lovett didn’t provide Holmes with a detailed workout schedule for the summer. Holmes followed the training program at Fit Speed, which included working with Marshall himself. That proved beneficial, not just from a physical perspective. Marshall, an All-Pro NFL receiver, has been misunderstood and battled adversity in his pro career, and he and Holmes had discussions about much more than football.

They helped Holmes process the situation at Notre Dame and helped him prepare his mind for what Holmes thinks is a prime opportunity at Purdue.

Marshall told Holmes to cultivate an underdog mentality, approaching every day with a sense of something to prove.

“We are definitely two guys who have a lot in common,” Holmes said of Marshall. “I learned that this summer for sure. I’d been in contact with him before, but this summer I was able to be around him a lot more. He has the same ‘due season.’ He feels as though this season he’s due for a reward, whether that’s a good season or a Super Bowl. I feel the same way. I feel like this is my ‘due season.’ I’ve got the opportunity to showcase my talents, and I’m determined to take advantage of this opportunity.

“I’m looking at this as a new opportunity to really just showcase my talents and prove to people that I am a great receiver.”

Holmes said he’ll line up on Day 1 of training camp as an outside receiver, though he can play in the slot, too. Because he didn’t get to campus until recently, though, he’s had to cram in studying of the playbook. He said he’s picked up the plays pretty quickly and feels “pretty confident” about it. And, though it was brief, he can say the same about his budding relationship with QB David Blough. The pair made sure to some one-on-one route work in already on their own time.

And, now, finally, camp is here.

“It’s really exciting. I’m about business,” Holmes said. “I really want this fall camp to be a grind. I’m going to work hard, and I want to prove to these coaches why I should be a starter here.”

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