Reporters simultaneously encircle quarterback Marquise Williams, badgering him with questions about his benching in Saturday’s win over Delaware. Hollins, unfazed and unwatched, proceeds to the JUGS machine. Practice isn’t over yet.
Standing still with his helmet on, Hollins whips his hands, shoulders and head up, down and side to side to snag balls as they fire out of the machine.
The drill is simple and unflashy. But it’s one of the main reasons why the former walk-on and special teams player established himself as a receiving threat for the Tar Heels in 2014, and also continues impressing coaches and teammates as a junior.
“Before I was a big name or whatever you want to call it, I was on the ball machine every day,” he says. “You can’t forget about where you come from. If I stop doing that, then I’ll stop performing on the field. I have to work just as hard, or harder really, than I did last year.”
After joining the team as a walk-on prior to the 2012 season and redshirting, Hollins was named UNC’s special teams captain in 2013. “No. 13 is over there,” they’d say, pointing at Hollins when the Tar Heels lined up.
A challenge? Yes. But he embraced it and wanted more. He took to the JUGS machine and the practice field, searching to transition from relatively unknown to reliable receiver.
The hard work paid its dividends. Hollins’ team-best eight touchdowns in 2014 garnered him honorable mention All-ACC accolades. But it also has drawn the attention of opposing defenses.
A consistent target on special teams, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound receiver now hears his number called on offense.
