BOCA RATON – Tra’Nell Hollis may become a name our area will need to get familiar with for these next several months ahead.
The 2020 strong safety is going into his senior season with a clear purpose in mind. He’s determined to not let anything – or anybody – get in his way when it comes to him earning a college football scholarship.
As of the moment, Hollis has no offers. But he does have at least three small schools looking at him right now: Culver-Stockton, Davenport, and Taylor University.
Hollis is looking to build on his somewhat successful junior campaign at Boca Raton. In six total games played – injuries forced him out of the others – the Bobcats team leader recorded 21 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Hollis was gracious enough to give his take on why no college offers have be extended to him.
“I feel like I haven’t given scouts a reason to evaluate me,” the 5-9, 186-pound safety said. “I have to [like] catch their eyes on a spectacular play. I haven’t made the ‘Ooos and aahhhs’ plays yet. I feel like it’s honestly steps I didn’t take that I will take this season. Last year was to get the feel of things. Now I got my rhythm and I got things going, so be on the lookout for those jaw dropping plays this year.”
Hollis is what one could call a true “football player”. What he may want to make up for in height and speed (4.7; 40-yard dash), he does so by providing solid coverage skills from the line of scrimmage to the open field, while making sure he doesn’t miss opportunities to tackle the opposing man.
So for this upcoming season, Hollis wants to make sure his leadership skills are on full display for his teammates to follow. He would prefer to let his play do the taking for him.
Moving on to yet another big stage, Hollis got his first opportunity to get interviewed by scores of media outlets at Miami Dolphins Media Day on Saturday, Aug. 3. The special event, located at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, was a chance for Hollis, a few of his teammates, and Boca Raton head coach Brandon Walker to highlight their own program and let the media get to know them a little bit personally.
“It was an amazing experience,” Hollis said. “I’m blessed to have been one of the guys Coach [Walker] picked to bring there. As far as all the media outlets asking questions, I was pretty nervous.”
Hollis expounded on the level of his nervousness at Miami Dolphins Media Day.
“I’m not used to being asked questions like that,” he said. “I mean, it was a big deal for me to be in front of all the cameras and stuff. It’s not like having a helmet on and blocking out the crowd.”
Here’s hoping that Hollis gains plenty of more opportunities to grab the media spotlight with his play this season and on the college level.
PHOTO CREDITS: Mr. Sweeten – Boca Raton High School
