Interview with TCU Commit, Zachary Class of 2016 Star Lineman Kellton Hollins

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Hard to say that an offensive lineman with 15 Division-I offers is an under the radar recruit but then again after watching Kellton Hollins play it seems like his recruiting rankings and scholarship offer tally should be a little bit higher.

No need to worry about Hollins, he is set. The Zachary High School stud lineman committed to TCU on June 8, setting his football path going forward. The Horned Frogs were one of Hollins top offers along with teams like Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Tulane, Army, and Louisiana-Lafayette hoping to sway him to their respective campuses.

Still, watching the 6’3”, 295 pound, lineman grind it out on the field at right guard, left tackle, or anywhere along the offensive line he seems a natural fit for a lot of Power Five Conference programs, especially playing in high school ball in Louisiana. Lining up against the likes of Calvary Baptist, Denham Springs, Byrd, Airline, and Acadiana is not an easy task, yet Hollins makes opening holes look easy.

The big man is a true grinder in the trenches playing with a nasty streak between the snap of the ball and the sound of the whistle. The Broncos rushed deep into the Louisiana playoffs last year compiling over 2,700 yards rushing thanks in large part to Hollins.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with Kellton before his opening game of the season against Wilkinson County to get his thoughts on the upcoming season, find out more about his commitment to TCU, and see what he worked on in the offseason to prepare for his senior campaign.

Interview

Kellton, you guys had great success last year going 12-2, how will that carry over into the 2015 season?

“I don’t think it’ll affect us too much, we’ll still have to work as hard as we did last year. We’ll have to work harder actually.”

How does Zachary look heading into the 2015 season? Do you think you guys will make another deep playoff run this year?

“Yes sir.”

What are some of the strengths of this year’s football team?

“We have a lot of starters coming back, so the experience is there. We have a lot of starters back on the D-line, at linebacker, O-line, our receivers, quarterback, and running back. Pretty much at every position.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“My knowledge of the game.”

How have you built up that knowledge? Is it from watching film, going to camps, or experience on the field?

“Camps and just playing football over the years and me listening to my coaches.”

What are some of the areas of your game that are strong? Do you get to the second level well, your punch, your kick, or your leverage and pad level?

“I play physical. Once I latch on to somebody that is pretty much it for them. I get to the second level pretty good. My pad level is pretty good.”

What are some of the things you worked on in the offseason to improve upon before your senior season?

“My hips and flexibility and of course my strength.”

What is your bench max and squat max right now?

“My bench max is 350 and my squat max is 535.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“Of course you want to win state, without a doubt. As far as individual goals, All-State, All-District, things like that. I’m really focused on winning a state and district championship.”

At the end of last year did you earn any individual honors?

“Yes sir. I was All-Metro, All-District, and All-State honorable mention.”

Will your role change at all this year? Will we see you on defense or at another position?

“Nothing will really change.”

What influenced you to commit to TCU?

“When I went down there I just knew that is where I wanted to go. You get that feeling. They treated me so well. It just worked.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I went to a camp, they had a camp down here in Louisiana. I told them I was committing and when I got home I tweeted it out. It was an easy decision.”

Have you started recruiting other players to join you at TCU?

“Yes sir. I talked to Gary Overshown (DE – Horn HS, Mesquite, TX) and then he committed. I’ve talked to Stephen Sullivan, he’s a receiver out of Donaldsonville (Louisiana). I’ve also talked to Sci Martin (DE) out of McDonogh (New Orleans), trying to get him too.

Do you know when you’re going to go on your official visit to TCU?

“I haven’t really thought about that yet. I’ll sit down with my family and we’ll talk about it, but I haven’t made any plans.”

Do you plan on taking all five of your official visits this fall?

“I don’t know. I really don’t know. I haven’t sat down and talked to my family yet. TCU is No. 1 no doubt. That’s where I plan on going.”

Are other schools still pursing you or showing interest in you since you verbally committed?

“Yes sir, Mississippi State and Louisiana-Lafayette.”

What camps did you go to this summer other than the TCU camp?

“I went to LSU and Mississippi State – I can’t remember. Louisiana Tech.”

From the various camps that you went to did you pick up any new techniques or fundamentals that will help you throughout your senior year?

“Not really – not really. I liked the way Coach (Jarrett) Anderson (offensive line coach) coached.”

What was it about Coach Anderson at TCU that was different for you that reached you as a player?

“The way he talks to me. When I was at the camp he was talking to me like I was already there. The connection was there.”

What do you want to major in when you go to college?

“Psychology.”

What do you want to do when you get out of college?

“I haven’t thought about that yet.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“Probably my uncle (Leroy Hollins) and my mom (Kelli Hollins).”

How have they impacted you?

“When I play it makes my momma proud. She likes watching me play. It’s something that makes her smile and I like that. With my uncle, it’s the same with him, it makes him happy to know that I’m doing well. They like that I am setting an example for the younger guys.”

You guys are about to open your season against Wilkinson County. Other than the opening game are there any other games you are excited to play this year?

“I’m pretty excited to play all the games. This is my senior year, my last one. I’m excited for every game. Every games is a blessing to have. You’re not guaranteed any of them.”

Kellton, thanks for your time and good luck this year.

“Thank you.”

 

Photo credit: scout.com; Kellton at a MSU camp.

Photo credit: nola.com; Kellton Hollins.

Photo credit: 247sports.com; Kellton working at a one-day camp.