Mack Hollins (born September 16, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Mack Hollins
refer to caption
Hollins in 2023
No. 13 – Buffalo Bills
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1993-09-16) September 16, 1993 (age 31)
Rockville, Maryland, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Thomas S. Wootton (Rockville, Maryland)
College:North Carolina (2012–2016)
NFL draft:2017 / round: 4 / pick: 118
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2024
Receptions:138
Receiving yards:1,772
Receiving touchdowns:12
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Hollins attended Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, Maryland, and later Thomas S. Wootton High School. After not receiving any scholarship offers out of high school, Hollins attended Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, where he played with Cardale Jones who led the Ohio State Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Hollins received several offers to join teams, including a walk-on opportunity on the University of North Carolina football team if he could get accepted to the university on his own. In 2012, he was accepted into the school, and joined the team as a walk-on.[1][2]

College career

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As a freshman in 2013, Hollins was named special teams captain after appearing in all 13 games. He played on most special teams and as a reserve wide receiver. He finished the regular season with nine tackles and recovered a fumble against Duke.[3]

As a sophomore in 2014 Hollins earned honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) accolades after finishing with 35 catches for a team-high 613 yards. He also had a team-best eight receiving touchdowns. One of Carolina's best special teams players, he also had seven tackles and recovered an onside kick. He earned ACC Receiver of the Week honors after catching two passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia. Both touchdowns were over 50 yards (57 and 63), making Hollins the first Tar Heel to have two touchdown receptions of 50+ yards since Hakeem Nicks in 2008. Reeled in a 91-yard touchdown pass in the win over San Diego State University. The 91-yard scoring play with quarterback Marquise Williams was the longest play by UNC in Kenan Stadium history and third-longest play in school history.[3]

As a junior in 2015, Hollins led all NCAA major college players with an average of 24.8 yards per reception. He caught at least one pass in all 13 games and found the end zone in seven different contests, including five of UNC's six wins [3] He picked up his second ACC Receiver of the Week honor after catching five balls for 165 yards and a 74-yard touchdown in the win over Duke. Hollins became the first Tar Heel to catch three touchdown passes since 2011 when he tallied three scores against Wake Forest. His first ACC Receiver of the Week honors of the year came after catching three passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Delaware.[3]

College statistics

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North Carolina Tar Heels
Season Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2014 North Carolina 13 5 35 613 17.5 91 8
2015 North Carolina 13 13 30 745 24.8 74 8
2016 North Carolina 7 7 16 309 19.3 71 4
Career 33 25 81 1,667 20.6 91 20

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)
221 lb
(100 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.53 s 1.60 s 2.64 s
All values from NFL Combine[4][5][6]

Philadelphia Eagles

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Hollins was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round, 118th overall, in the 2017 NFL draft.[7] In Week 2, against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had his first three career receptions, which went for 32 total yards in the 27–20 loss.[8] In Week 7, against the Washington Redskins, he recorded a 64-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Carson Wentz. His 64-yard reception was the first touchdown of his career.[9] Hollins also played heavily on special teams.

In 2018, Hollins and the Eagles beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, with Hollins primarily playing on special teams.[10][11]

On September 6, 2018, Hollins was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.[12]

During the 2019 offseason, Hollins gave his jersey number, No. 10, to veteran DeSean Jackson, who had worn the number during his time playing in Philadelphia from 2008 to 2013. Hollins changed to No. 16.[13]

On December 3, 2019, Hollins was waived by the Eagles.[14]

Miami Dolphins

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On December 4, 2019, Hollins was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.[15]

In Week 9 of the 2020 season against the Arizona Cardinals, Hollins hauled in an 11-yard fourth quarter touchdown pass over the head of his defender, helping the Dolphins to their fourth straight win. In Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hollins was ejected from the game after fighting Bengals players.[16] In Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Hollins caught a 34-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to set up the game winning field goal in the final seconds of the game.[17]

Hollins re-signed with the Dolphins on March 23, 2021.[18] On September 8, he was named one of five team captains for the 2021 season, as voted by his teammates.[19] In the 2021 season, Hollins had 14 receptions for 223 yards and four touchdowns.[20]

Las Vegas Raiders

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On March 17, 2022, Hollins signed with the Raiders.[21] On September 25, Hollins caught eight receptions for a career-high 158 yards and a touchdown, during a 24–22 loss to the Tennessee Titans.[22] In the 2022 season, he had 57 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns.[23]

Atlanta Falcons

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On March 21, 2023, Hollins signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[24] He played in 13 games with three starts, recording 18 catches for 251 yards and no touchdowns.[25]

Buffalo Bills

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On March 14, 2024, Hollins signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[26]

Personal life

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Hollins has become well-known among fans and teammates for his eccentric personality and habits, which include walking around barefoot as much as possible, eating without utensils, and avoiding house cats, even inspiring several teammates to try his habits. He has gained the nickname "Tarzan" as a result.[27][28]

Hollins also has an active TikTok account, which he focuses on "life hacks" and home improvement ideas.[29]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Williamson, Chris (August 7, 2017). "Rockville native doing big things in the NFL". WUSA9.
  2. ^ Ford, Bob (July 31, 2017). "Eagles' Mack Hollins works to be special as a receiver, too". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  3. ^ a b c d "University of North Carolina Tar Heels Official Athletic Site". Goheels.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  4. ^ "Mack Hollins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  5. ^ "2017 Draft Scout Mack Hollins, North Carolina NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  6. ^ "Mack Hollins 2017 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  7. ^ Smith, Alex (April 29, 2017). "Mack Hollins Added To WR Group". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs – September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  9. ^ "Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles – October 23rd, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  10. ^ Jones, Lindsay H. (February 4, 2018). "Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "Super Bowl Champion Mack Hollins". Scout.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  12. ^ McPherson, Chris (September 6, 2018). "Eagles Place WR Mack Hollins On Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  13. ^ "DeSean Jackson gets back No. 10 from Mack Hollins". NBC Sports Philadelphia. March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  14. ^ Schaller, Olivia (December 3, 2019). "Eagles agree to promote G Sua Opeta from the practice squad to the active roster and waive WR Mack Hollins". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  15. ^ "Dolphins Sign Evan Brown, Awarded Mack Hollins". MiamiDolphins.com. December 4, 2019.
  16. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins – December 6th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  17. ^ Habib, Hal (December 27, 2020). "Dolphins' Hollins overcomes drop, joins Fitz to create legendary finish". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  18. ^ "Miami Dolphins Re-Sign WR Mack Hollins". MiamiDolphins.com. March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  19. ^ Crabbs, Kyle (September 9, 2021). "Mack Hollins honored by weight of being named a Dolphins captain". Dolphins Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "Mack Hollins 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  21. ^ Raiders Public Relations (March 17, 2022). "Raiders sign WR Mack Hollins". Raiders.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  22. ^ Damien, Levi (September 25, 2022). "Mack Hollins's huge catches, career day gives Raiders chance late vs Titans". Raiders Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  23. ^ "Mack Hollins 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  24. ^ Edmunds, Ashton (March 21, 2023). "Falcons sign wide receiver Mack Hollins to one-year deal". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  25. ^ "Mack Hollins 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  26. ^ White, Alec; Glab, Maddy (March 14, 2024). "Bills sign WR Mack Hollins & LB Nicholas Morrow to one-year deals". Buffalo Bills. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  27. ^ Benjamin, Cody (July 29, 2024). "Bills coaches, players deem Mack Hollins a lovable 'Tarzan' for unusual practices, including going barefoot". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Sugiura, Ken (July 28, 2023). "Falcons wideout Mack Hollins has better things to do than use eating utensils". Ken Sugiura Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  29. ^ Yu, Yi-Jin (September 10, 2024). "Meet the NFL player empowering fans with TikTok challenges". ABC News. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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