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| Delonte Hollowell (#24) (image via AnnArbor.com) |
Name: Delonte Hollowell
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 164 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Position: Cornerback
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #24
Last year: I ranked Hollowell #79 and said he would redshirt. He made 6 tackles and 1 fumble recovery on special teams.
Hollowell was on his way to a redshirt last season when Brady Hoke tossed him in for the first time at the beginning of November. He proceeded to play in five games, mostly on special teams. Toward the end of the season, Hollowell made a bit of a name for himself as a gunner on the punt team.
Look for more of the same in 2012. It stands to reason that he'll continue to play on special teams, but Michigan returns its two starters at cornerback, Courtney Avery returns as the slot corner, Terrence Talbott was pushing for playing time in the spring, and Raymon Taylor appears to be the other second-teamer. It will be an uphill battle for Hollowell to earn playing time on defense, and incoming freshman Terry Richardson could also push for time.
Prediction: Special teams contributor; backup cornerback
This kid is all guts on special teams. From smoking the returner on a muffed punt at Illinois to making the tackle after a block in the back against Ohio, Hollowell was constantly around the ball. I hope he sees playing time at corner sometime in his career.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat related to BlastBeat88's comment, is it conceivable that coaches at a place like UM would ever recruit someone solely with an eye toward special teams (kickers, punters excluded, obviously, as well as returners, not so obviously)?
ReplyDeleteTo put it another way, are there any skills / attributes that map really well to special teams but not necessarily to specific positions?
I'm not sure I understand the question, but if I do understand what you're saying...no, I don't think the coaches would ever recruit someone with a scholarship to exclusively play special teams. There aren't enough scholarships for that sort of thing. They might say, "Well, this kid looks like he can help us at safety...and with his speed, size, and aggressiveness, he could probably help us on special teams, too." But I don't think they would ever go the other way and say, "He would be good on special teams, and maybe he can help our real defense, too."
DeleteI think they might look at some kids and say "At the very least he can help us on special teams", but expect everyone to have a reasonable chance of contribution at a position as well. I think that goes even for returners, who they think could help at least as a 3rd or 4th WR or 3rd-down specialist (or DB).
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