Sunday, July 21, 2013

2013 Season Countdown: #39 Delonte Hollowell

Delonte Hollowell
Name: Delonte Hollowell
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 175 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Position: Cornerback
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #24
Last year: I ranked Hollowell #54 and said he would be a backup cornerback and special teamer. He made 4 tackles and 1 fumble recovery on special teams.

Hollowell spent the last two seasons on coverage units, and he has been fairly productive there. He has 10 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries on punt coverage, which is pretty solid. He hasn't earned much time on defense, and it might be tough sledding again this year. In the spring he played quite a bit with the first unit, as the injured Blake Countess was still out with an ACL tear. He had some decent but unspectacular moments in the spring game.

As we enter the season, Hollowell will likely be behind returning starters Countess and junior Raymon Taylor. There's also the curious issue of Courtney Avery, who seems to have been displaced by freshman Dymonte Thomas for the nickel corner position. Avery did not take any reps at nickel in the spring, and he was the backup field corner last season - although he struggled mightily at times. If the coaching staff is in the process of getting Avery comfortable at one of the outside spots, then that might push Hollowell back to third on the depth chart. I think Hollowell will continue to be a solid special teamer and has some value as a backup corner.

Prediction: Backup cornerback, special teamer

1 comment:

  1. Agree with your ranking and read on the situation. Hollowell seems like the 4th CB at best but a key special-teamer. Could play if injury strikes (or maybe even against a pass-happy offense) but he's probably well behind Avery (and could be passed by a hot-shot freshman.)

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