Mack Hollins
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Mack Hollins, born September 16, 1993, is an American professional football wide receiver currently with the New England Patriots of the NFL. His journey began with the North Carolina Tar Heels in college, and he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Growing up, Hollins attended Robert Frost Middle School and Thomas S. Wootton High School. Despite not securing any scholarship offers out of high school, he attended Fork Union Military Academy, where he played alongside Cardale Jones. This path led to several offers, including a walk-on opportunity at the University of North Carolina, which he accepted in 2012.
His college career at North Carolina was marked by significant contributions. As a freshman in 2013, he earned special teams captain honors, appearing in all 13 games and showcasing his versatility as a reserve wide receiver and special teams player. In 2014, as a sophomore, Hollins received honorable mention All-ACC accolades, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. He also excelled on special teams, recovering an onside kick and earning ACC Receiver of the Week honors for his explosive performance against Virginia. His 91-yard touchdown reception against San Diego State University became a historic play for UNC. As a junior in 2015, he led major college football players with an impressive 24.8 yards per reception average, finding the end zone in seven different games. He secured his second ACC Receiver of the Week award with a dominant performance against Duke and became the first Tar Heel since 2011 to score three touchdowns in a single game.
In the professional arena, Hollins was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He made his mark early, recording his first career receptions and a memorable 64-yard touchdown from Carson Wentz. Hollins was a key contributor on special teams, and the Eagles, with his participation, secured a victory in Super Bowl LII. However, his 2018 season was cut short by a groin injury, placing him on injured reserve. In a notable gesture during the 2019 offseason, he gave his jersey number, 10, to veteran DeSean Jackson, switching to number 16. Hollins was later waived by the Eagles on December 3, 2019.
The Miami Dolphins claimed Hollins off waivers the following day. During the 2020 season, he delivered crucial plays, including an 11-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals and a game-winning drive assist against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was ejected from a game against the Cincinnati Bengals after an altercation. Hollins re-signed with the Dolphins in March 2021 and was voted a team captain for the 2021 season, finishing with 14 receptions for 223 yards and four touchdowns.
In March 2022, Hollins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. He had a career-high performance against the Tennessee Titans, with eight receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown. His 2022 season concluded with 57 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns.
A move to the Atlanta Falcons followed in March 2023, where he signed a one-year contract. He played in 13 games, recording 18 catches for 251 yards. In March 2024, Hollins joined the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal, primarily brought in for his blocking abilities and special teams play, but he surprised with a career-high five receiving touchdowns, leading the team.
Most recently, on March 14, 2025, Hollins signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots. His 2025 season was unfortunately cut short by an abdomen injury in December, placing him on injured reserve. He concluded the season with 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games.
Beyond the field, Mack Hollins is recognized for his unique personality and habits. He's known for walking barefoot, eating without utensils, and avoiding house cats, earning him the nickname "Tarzan." He famously avoids drinking water, believing it's a "scam," and primarily consumes watermelon juice. His diet consists mainly of raw meat, raw milk, and fruit, with no vegetables since 2022. Hollins is also a dedicated volunteer and Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics and maintains an active TikTok account featuring "life hacks" and home improvement ideas.
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Mack Hollins (born September 16, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.
== Early life ==
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. Hollins received several offers, including a walk-on opportunity at the University of North Carolina contingent upon being accepted by the school. He joined the team in 2012.
== College career ==
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.
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. As one of the teams 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. He reeled in a 91-yard touchdown pass in a 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.
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 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.
=== College statistics ===
== Professional career ==
=== Philadelphia Eagles ===
Hollins was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. 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. In Week 7, against the Washington Redskins, he recorded a 64-yard touchdown reception from Carson Wentz, the first of his career. 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.
On September 6, 2018, Hollins was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.
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.
On December 3, 2019, Hollins was waived by the Eagles.
=== Miami Dolphins ===
On December 4, 2019, Hollins was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.
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. 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.
Hollins re-signed with the Dolphins on March 23, 2021. On September 8, he was named one of five team captains for the 2021 season, as voted by his teammates. In the 2021 season, Hollins had 14 receptions for 223 yards and four touchdowns.
=== Las Vegas Raiders ===
On March 17, 2022, Hollins signed with the Raiders. 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. For the 2022 season, he finished with 57 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns.
=== Atlanta Falcons ===
On March 21, 2023, Hollins signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He played in 13 games with three starts, recording 18 catches for 251 yards and no touchdowns.
=== Buffalo Bills ===
On March 14, 2024, Hollins signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. Brought in as a blocking receiver, Hollins also played on special teams, but he caught five touchdowns on the season, which both led the team and was a new career-high.
=== New England Patriots ===
On March 14, 2025, Hollins signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots. On December 27, Hollins was placed on injured reserve due to an abdomen injury, ending his season. Hollins finished the 2025 season with 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games with 13 starts.
== NFL career statistics ==
=== Regular season ===
=== Postseason ===
== Personal life ==
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. Hollins rarely drinks water due to his belief that "water's a scam," and he primarily drinks watermelon juice. Hollins' diet mainly consists of raw meat, raw milk and fruit, and he claims to have not eaten any vegetables since 2022.
He is also a longtime volunteer for Special Olympics and also serves as a Global Ambassador for the organization.
Hollins also has an active TikTok account, which he focuses on "life hacks" and home improvement ideas.
== See also ==
List of barefooters
List of NCAA major college football yearly receiving leaders
== References ==
== External links ==
Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · CBS Sports · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
New England Patriots bio
North Carolina Tar Heels bio
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