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On the third day of the NFL Draft, North Carolina wide receiver Mack Hollins has been selected in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the third Tar Heel off the board with Mitch Trubisky going on Day 1 and Nazair Jones being selected on Day 2.
Hollins caught 81 passes for 1,667 yards and scored 20 touchdowns before breaking his collarbone against Miami in 2016, ending his Carolina career. He leaves campus with the third-most touchdown catches in program history behind only Quinshad Davis and Hakeem Nicks. Though his career ended on one of the worst notes possible, he still left his mark on a team that won’t soon be forgotten.
Despite the bad luck, Hollins continued to surprise. He ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in a performance that should make teams take a second glance at him. After all, at six-foot-four and 221 pounds, most organizations will be lined up to take a chance on such a big frame and wide wingspan.
NFL.com even takes note of his surprising speed and agility, despite his length. It also makes him a legitimate deep threat, able to come down with high throws, especially in the end zone. Those were kind of his speciality at North Carolina. That being said, scouts still see him as a very raw product who lacks the route versatility they like to see.
Hollins has the potential to make a difference at the next level as a special teams player, if nothing else. For a guy who meant so much to the Tar Heel football program, and came so far after even paying his own way until a scholarship opened up, it’s very easy to root for Mack to succeed on Sundays. Best of luck, Mack!