Mack Hollins (left) and Ryan Switzer (right) were two of the four Tar Heels to hear their names called at the NFL Draft on Saturday. (Smith Cameron Photography)

A year ago, Mack Hollins was preparing for the NFL Draft.

Now, he is on his way to the Super Bowl.

An unheralded recruit out of high school, Hollins walked-on at North Carolina and earned a scholarship after his hard work on special teams. He burst onto the scene during in his third year, catching 35 passes for 613 yards and eight scores in 2014. From there, Hollins blossomed into a crucial piece of the receiving game and turned into one of the country’s top downfield threats. As a junior, he led the Tar Heels in receiving yards and touchdowns while averaging an astonishing 24.8 yards per catch.

While Hollins’ senior season was cut short due to injury, he still recovered in time to participate in the NFL Combine and pre-draft workouts. At 6 feet 4 inches and 221 pounds, Hollins ran an impressive 4.53 40-yard dash, which was enough to convince the Philadelphia Eagles to draft the former walk-on in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

With the Eagles signing receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith in free agency, Hollins was allowed to sit and develop as a role player as a rookie this past season instead of being forced into action too early. During the regular season, Hollins caught 16 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown while working as the Eagles’ fourth option at receiver. His role in the postseason has been limited (two catches for nine yards), but part of that might be attributed to Carson Wentz’s injury at the quarterback position.

Perhaps Hollins’ most notable moment from his rookie season was when he was caught riding his bicycle to the Eagles’ October 23rd game against the Washington Redskins.

After the game, Hollins told reporters that he didn’t have a car but lived close to the Eagles’ complex so he preferred riding his bike over taking an Uber. Ironically, Hollins scored his only touchdown of the regular season, a 64-yard strike from Wentz, in that game as well.

With Philadelphia playing in Super Bowl LII this weekend, Hollins has taken the same mentality for his travel to Minnesota.

While he might not have really biked from Philadelphia to Minnesota, Hollins’ journey in the NFL is far from over. From a former walk-on to Super Bowl participant, the future looks bright for this former Tar Heels star.

Related Stories
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Dean Smith On My Mind
The Patriots had me thinking about Dean Smith all week. Obviously, I am a New England Patriots fan. Duh. And I was unusually calm all week heading into the AFC championship game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, maybe because the Pats were going for their third straight Super Bowl, fourth in the last […]
Former UNC Star Mack Hollins Needs to Increase Variety of Touchdown Celebrations
Former UNC star and current Philadelphia Eagles WR Mack Hollins has one fatal flaw holding him back from becoming a superstar: he only has one touchdown celebration.
Chansky's Notebook: UNC and the New Redshirt Rule
The NCAA might be smartening up with some rule changes. Two rule amendments in college football could benefit Carolina and other college programs this season and they both make a lot of sense – for the good of the student-athlete. The Tar Heels will have Ohio State transfer running back Antonio Williams eligible this season, […]
Dakota's Notebook: Could Mitch Trubisky Become a Star?
Could Mitch Trubisky have a breakout season in 2018? Despite an underwhelming rookie season, there is reason to believe he could emerge as a star in the league.
Dakota's Notebook: ACC Offenses on the Rebound
Could offenses in the ACC see a rebound in 2018? Young, exciting players and innovative coaches will help ACC offenses make a drastic turnaround in the coming years.
Dakota's Notebook: Are ACC Defenses the Best in the Nation?
Is the ACC turning into the country’s premier conference for defense? For the longest time, the SEC has dominated the defensive side of the ball, but ACC teams might be giving them a run for their money.
LISTEN: WCHL's Ron Stutts and Blake Hodge Discuss Woody Durham's Impact on UNC Broadcasts
The Carolina family suffered a loss today when it was reported that longtime UNC broadcaster Woody Durham passed away at the age of 76. WCHL’s Ron Stutts worked closely with Woody for eight years at WCHL and then loosely for more than 20 years during the Durham’s time as a broadcaster for Tar Heel Sports […]
What Was Your Favorite Memory of Woody Durham?
It was announced today that longtime UNC announcer Woody Durham passed away at the age of 76. Durham retired from the Tar Heel Sports Network in 2011 after four decades behind the microphone calling UNC games on WCHL and other affiliates across the state. Durham graduated from UNC in 1963 and went on to call more […]
Gameday Guide: 2018 ACC Basketball Tournament
It’s that time of year again when ACC teams converge on Greensboro New York City for the annual ACC men’s basketball tournament. Action at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn begins on Tuesday and continues all the way until Sunday, when a champion will be crowned. How to Watch/Listen 97.9 The Hill WCHL will be live and […]
Super Bowl LII: How to Watch, What to Know and Who Will Win
The underdogs versus the GOAT. That’s how many have started to describe this year’s Super Bowl. The Eagles, with dog mask-wearing players and fans, are the scrappy underdogs led by a backup quarterback. Meanwhile, the Patriots have arguably the best quarterback of all time on their sideline in Tom Brady, the seemingly ageless wonder. For […]
›