Age: 23
Height: 203cm
Drafted from: Chicago, USA
Position: Ruckman

JASON Holmes’ six-month journey to an AFL club is now complete, with the 23-year-old taken at pick No.36 in Wednesday’s Rookie Draft.

In early October Holmes signed a two-year International Rookie contract with St Kilda just prior to the Draft Combine.

Holmes was a college basketballer for Morehead State Eagles in Kentucky and also played soccer and American Football in his youth.

"I have a lot to learn, and I'm here for that reason, but I feel I can be more of an asset to the club in my later development when I can play a little bit more … full-forward maybe. I like kicking,” he said in October.

''I think I could definitely be a solid ruckman. Being as big as I am, I can hold people off and use my strength and body work in basketball. I think I would be able to transfer that pretty well over to football. I have watched Sandilands. I have been trying to pick up some of his moves.''

Holmes impressed at the AFL combine in Los Angeles earlier this year before training with the Sydney Swans Academy under the guidance of Paul Roos for three weeks.

His athleticism and fierce desire to compete are his strengths – but it was Holmes’ vertical leap that drew the most attention in October’s Draft Combine. He jumped 97 centimetres, just four centimetres short of Nic Naitanui’s record.

St Kilda Head of Football Chris Pelchen said: “He’s got to learn some very basic skills and understand the game… but I think he’ll adapt to the game very, very quickly.”

Holmes’ older brother Andrew plays with the NFL franchise Oakland Raiders.

You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32