The Football Brainiacs

Earlier today Justin Hollins, Defensive End out of Dallas, committed to Oregon. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Justin as a young man and that is always more important than football. As a football player he was being recruited to play the OLB/DE. But was he the best option? In my opinion, no.

On paper Justin seems to have it all. He has incredible speed (ranked in the 100 in Texas HS track), he has a long frame (6’4) and clearly an intelligent kid. And early on I certainly liked him. Still do. But that was before Oklahoma started recruiting kids like Devante Bond and that was before I came across Tulsa Washington stand out Jonathan Willis. And that was before we got to see Oklahoma’s new scheme and the effect Striker has on opposing teams pass protection schemes.

Missouri and Oregon were the biggest threats to Oklahoma for Hollins’ commitment. At Missouri he would have been a 40 front DEnd. Coach Nick Aliotti at Oregon is going to start Hollins off as a stand up OLB/DE but I’m not so sure that Hollins has that first step to really play mind games with opposing tackles. When I watch him on film I feel like I’m expecting him to really turn an OT because of his build and speed, but it just doesn’t happen. As JY (who started at OT in college) has told me on numerous occasions – “As an OT I didn’t mind taking on a long kid with some speed and power but I didn’t want to see a kid like Striker with a quick first step because there is nothing you can do about it.”

Hollins feels like a kid who will be good at a lot of things but not necessarily great at any one thing. And what Striker has taught the OU fan base is Oklahoma needs elite pass rushers. But what he has also taught us is we might need a little more size at that spot. That’s where Justin could obviously have helped. But does he help enough in the run game to give up that menacing threat that Oklahoma needs to continue to have in pass rush situations? I don’t think so. I think you look elsewhere. And as I mentioned above that elsewhere is Devante Bond or Jonathan Willis. Devante Bond is Striker 2.0. He’s got a couple inches on Striker and about 15-20 lbs on Striker to help in the run game. But he’s still got that sudden first step, the great balance and lean and the thing we all love – that nasty!

Willis is a young man who I believe is one of the most underrated prospects in the country. Yes, I said “in the country”! I’ve been Jonathan Willis for a while and after speaking to his coach earlier today I’m even more certain he is a kid Oklahoma should offer – now.We’ll have a write up on him later in the week. To be candid, of the OLB/DE that Oklahoma is recruiting or has been in contact with, Justin had fallen quite a few steps down on my “board”. Which isn’t to say he isn’t a fine athlete. But I believe Oklahoma has a shot at some kids that will better suit what they want and need.

We here at The Football Brainiacs certainly wish Justin all the best.