A.J. Holmes Jr.
Four seasons, four steps forward — Holmes has raised his tackle total every year since 2022 (7, 21, 35, 38) and peaked in his first season at Texas Tech after transferring from Houston: 38 stops, a career-best 4.5 sacks, four batted passes and a forced fumble from the interior. At 6-3, 300, he brings the year-over-year consistency evaluators trust and already carries a 2027 draft profile from NFL Draft Countdown. The pass-rush growth is the story worth buying: his sack and pressure production climbed every time the competition got tougher, including the jump from the American to the Big 12. However, the ceiling question is fair — he has never posted a dominant rush season, and 4.5 sacks is the career high for a player being drafted to affect the quarterback. A six-plus-sack senior year makes the case airtight. Day 2 projection in the 2027 class as an ascending three-down interior lineman.
-
Yahoo Sports Jul 13, 2026Patriots scouting report: Xavier Holmes is trying to follow in Elijah Ponder’s footsteps - Yahoo Sports
-
PFF Jul 2, 2026A.j. Holmes Jr. Snaps - NCAA - PFF
-
roundtable.io Jun 28, 2026Inside How Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes Jr. Can Be NFL Draft 'First-Round Prospect' - roundtable.io
-
Vikings Wire Jun 9, 20262027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: A.J. Holmes, DL, Texas Tech - Vikings Wire
-
NFL Mock Draft Database Apr 25, 2026A.J. Holmes Jr 2027 NFL Mock Draft Profile — DL - NFL Mock Draft Database
-
Sports Illustrated Feb 8, 2022Spring Westfield's AJ Holmes named SBLive's Texas High School Football Defensive Player of the Year - Sports Illustrated