Prestonwood Christian Academy has had some notable athletes come through its school in recent history, highlighted by New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, Jacksonville Jaguars rookie defensive back J.R. Reed and current Oklahoma Sooners tight end Austin Stogner.

Senior running back Randell Holmes might be the most impressive of the bunch.

“From a character and leadership standpoint, he is right up there with them in that regard,” Lions head football coach Chris Cunningham said. “Randell has talent. He may not be the biggest, but he has speed and his strongpoint is his character, his attitude, his resilience, his perseverance. You do not become the young man that he is without his toughness. I’ve seen it over and over again. I would put him in that category with those guys.”

Holmes, who rushed for 1,020 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Lions while earning second-team all-state honors in 2019, was born completely deaf and wears a cochlear implant. While not many would notice that fact without the rising senior running back mentioning it, it is an obstacle that he is forced to overcome during his everyday life and while on the field. 

“Nobody in my family on either side has any history of deafness or hearing loss, so it came out of the blue,” Holmes said. “I was very insecure while wearing the implants when I was younger. As I have gotten older, I have found myself and my true purpose.”