Hollins Selected By Denver
04/27/19 | Football
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Oregon saw its second defensive player come off the board during the 2019 NFL Draft when linebacker Justin Hollins was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round.
It marks the fourth time since 2000 that the first two Ducks taken in an NFL Draft were from the defensive side of the ball. The Broncos have selected an Oregon player in back-to-back drafts as Hollins joins running back Royce Freeman in Denver.
As a senior, Hollins became just the 19th FBS player – only in 2018 – with at least five sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception. An Associated Press Pac-12 All-Conference first team choice, Hollins led the Pac-12 in forced fumbles. He finished his senior season with team-bests of 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, which ranked sixth and fourth, respectively, in the Pac-12.
Hollins turned in one of the best games of his career in Oregon's 7-6 win over Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl. Hollins lived in MSU's backfield, matching career-highs of 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while forcing his league-leading fifth fumble of the season. Hollins also added seven tackles, as Oregon became the first team since 2008 to win a bowl game with less than 10 points.
Hollins carried that momentum over to a dominate week at the 94th East-West Shrine Game. He validated the buzz from the week by recording 10 tackles (9 solo), including three for loss, two sacks, two quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery en route to earning the E. Jack Spaulding Award for the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
It marks the fourth time since 2000 that the first two Ducks taken in an NFL Draft were from the defensive side of the ball. The Broncos have selected an Oregon player in back-to-back drafts as Hollins joins running back Royce Freeman in Denver.
As a senior, Hollins became just the 19th FBS player – only in 2018 – with at least five sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception. An Associated Press Pac-12 All-Conference first team choice, Hollins led the Pac-12 in forced fumbles. He finished his senior season with team-bests of 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, which ranked sixth and fourth, respectively, in the Pac-12.
Hollins turned in one of the best games of his career in Oregon's 7-6 win over Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl. Hollins lived in MSU's backfield, matching career-highs of 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while forcing his league-leading fifth fumble of the season. Hollins also added seven tackles, as Oregon became the first team since 2008 to win a bowl game with less than 10 points.
Hollins carried that momentum over to a dominate week at the 94th East-West Shrine Game. He validated the buzz from the week by recording 10 tackles (9 solo), including three for loss, two sacks, two quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery en route to earning the E. Jack Spaulding Award for the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Players Mentioned
OLB
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