Mike Hollins is an American football running back for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Mike Hollins
Virginia Cavaliers – No. 7
PositionRunning back
ClassGraduate Student
Personal information
Born:Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolUniversity Lab
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school edit

Hollins was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and attended high school at University Lab. Hollins was rated as a three star prospect. Hollins would decide to commit to play college football at the University of Virginia.[1][2]

College career edit

In week two of the 2019 season, Hollins rushed for 78 yards and scored his first two career touchdowns, as he helped Virginia beat William & Mary.[3][4] Hollins finished the 2019 season with 112 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, while also notching two tackles.[5] Hollins would decide to opt-out of the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.[6][7]

In the 2021 season, Hollins would rush for 213 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries, while also hauling in 16 receptions for 83 yards, and returning five kickoffs for 71 yards.[8] During the 2022 season, Hollins rushed for 215 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries and added 115 receiving years which included a career-long 64 yard reception in the Cavaliers' loss to Miami.

On November 13, 2022, Hollins and four others were shot on a chartered bus that had just returned from a class trip to Washington, D.C. Hollins and another student survived, but three teammates, Devin Chandler, D'Sean Perry, and Lavel Davis Jr, died.[9][10] After four months, Hollins would make a recovery and return to practice for the Cavaliers.[11][12] In the 2023 Virginia football spring game, Hollins would score a one yard rushing touchdown, and after would pay tribute to his former teammate by placing the ball on the name of D’Sean Perry, painted in the end zone alongside those of Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler.[13]

In week eight of the 2023 season, Hollins rushed for 66 yards and three touchdowns, helping Virginia upset #10 North Carolina.[14]

On November 27, 2023, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced that Hollins had been named the recipient of the conference’s 2023 Brian Piccolo Award which is given annually to the "most courageous" football player in the ACC in memory of the late Brian Piccolo.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ Nadeau, Rene (October 29, 2018). "Recruiting: University High's Mike Hollins commits to Virginia". Crescent City Sports. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Horne, Chris (October 28, 2018). "Virginia Football Gains Commitment From Top Running Back Target Mike Hollins". The Sabre. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "Florida State vs. Virginia odds: 2019 Week 3 college football picks, predictions from proven computer model". CBS Sports. September 13, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "Virginia Scores in all Phases of Game to Defeat William & Mary 52-17". Virginia University Athletics. September 7, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "Mike Hollins 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "'Hoos RB Mike Hollins one of five opting out of season". CBS19News. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Barber, Mike (November 15, 2022). "Fourth UVa shooting victim, football player Mike Hollins, undergoing second surgery today". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "Mike Hollins 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Wang, Gene. "'He is a superhero': Virginia's Mike Hollins is set to play again after shooting". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Selbe, Nick (December 15, 2022). "Mike Hollins Describes Harrowing Details of Surviving UVA Shooting". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  11. ^ Sterling, Wayne (March 22, 2023). "Mike Hollins says it's a 'miracle' he's able to return to practice, four months after surviving a shooting". CNN.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  12. ^ Adelson, Andrea (March 14, 2023). "Mike Hollins returns to UVA practice 4 months after shooting". ESPN. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  13. ^ Kurz, Hank. "UVA Shooting: Wounded football player Michael Hollins returns for a new season". Fox5. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Stephenson, Creg (October 21, 2023). "Virginia's Mike Hollins, wounded in 2022 shooting, scores 3 TDs in win over North Carolina". AL.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  15. ^ "Virginia's Mike Hollins Named 2023 Brian Piccolo Award Recipient". theacc.com. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.

External links edit