Mack Hollins Bio
Mack Hollins (born September 16, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Standing 193 cm tall and weighing roughly 100 kg, Hollins has built a reputation as a physical, special teams–focused receiver across multiple organizations.
Over the course of his professional career, Hollins has played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, and Buffalo Bills before joining the New England Patriots in 2025. He is a Super Bowl champion, having been part of the Eagles squad that won Super Bowl LII following the 2017 season.
Early Life and Background
Mack Hollins was born on September 16, 1993, in Rockville, Maryland, USA. He grew up in the Rockville area and attended Robert Frost Middle School before continuing his education at Thomas S. Wootton High School. Coming out of high school, Hollins did not receive any scholarship offers, an unusual starting point for a player who would eventually be drafted by an NFL franchise.
Determined to continue his football career, Hollins enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, where he played alongside quarterback Cardale Jones. His play at Fork Union drew attention from college programs, and he eventually chose the University of North Carolina, joining the Tar Heels in 2012 as a walk-on.
Path to American Football
Hollins’ path to the NFL was unconventional. After arriving at North Carolina without a scholarship, he quickly earned a role on special teams. As a freshman in 2013, he was named special teams captain and appeared in all 13 games, finishing the regular season with nine tackles and a fumble recovery against Duke.
By his sophomore year in 2014, Hollins had developed into a productive receiver, earning honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors after recording 35 catches for a team-high 613 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. His 91-yard touchdown reception against San Diego State University, thrown by quarterback Marquise Williams, was the longest play in Kenan Stadium history at the time and the third-longest play in school history.
As a junior in 2015, Hollins led all NCAA major college players with an average of 24.8 yards per reception. He caught at least one pass in all 13 games, found the end zone in seven different contests, and was named Second-team All-ACC. His strong production across all three college seasons positioned him as a draft prospect heading into the 2017 NFL draft.
Mack Hollins Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Hollins was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he recorded his first three career receptions in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, totaling 32 receiving yards. In Week 7, he hauled in a 64-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Wentz against the Washington Redskins, marking the first regular-season touchdown of his career.
In 2018, Hollins and the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, with Hollins contributing primarily on special teams. He was placed on injured reserve in September 2018 with a groin injury, and during the 2019 offseason he gave his jersey number, No. 10, to veteran DeSean Jackson, switching to No. 16. Hollins was waived by the Eagles on December 3, 2019.
Philadelphia Eagles (2017–2019)
Hollins’ first NFL chapter was defined by his special teams work and his role on a championship roster. His most memorable regular-season moment came with the 64-yard touchdown reception from Carson Wentz against Washington, a play that highlighted his downfield ability. Although his offensive production was limited, his reliability on coverage and return units kept him on the field.
The high point of his time in Philadelphia came during the 2017 postseason, when Hollins was part of the Eagles team that captured Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots. Despite playing through injuries, including a groin issue that landed him on injured reserve the following season, Hollins remained a respected presence in the locker room.
Miami Dolphins (2019–2021)
On December 4, 2019, Hollins was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins. During the 2020 season, he caught an 11-yard fourth-quarter touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, helping Miami secure its fourth straight win, and set up a game-winning field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders with a 34-yard catch from Ryan Fitzpatrick. He was also ejected during a Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals after a scuffle with Bengals players.
Hollins re-signed with the Dolphins on March 23, 2021, and was named one of five team captains for the season by his teammates. In 2021, he recorded 14 receptions for 223 yards and four touchdowns, providing dependable production on offense and leadership in the locker room.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022)
On March 17, 2022, Hollins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. He delivered one of the best performances of his career on September 25, 2022, against the Tennessee Titans, finishing with eight receptions for a career-high 158 yards and a touchdown in a narrow 24–22 loss. For the 2022 season, he totaled 57 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns.
Atlanta Falcons (2023)
On March 21, 2023, Hollins signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He played in 13 games with three starts, recording 18 catches for 251 yards and no touchdowns while continuing his role as a physical presence on the perimeter and on special teams.
Buffalo Bills (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Hollins signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. Brought in primarily as a blocking receiver, he also contributed on special teams and scored five touchdowns on the season, leading the team and setting a new career high in that category.
New England Patriots Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Hollins signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move brought a veteran special teams ace and red-zone weapon to a New England team in the midst of a roster rebuild.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Hollins’ career are his Super Bowl LII championship with the Philadelphia Eagles, his 91-yard touchdown reception at North Carolina, and his five-touchdown season with the Buffalo Bills in 2024. His consistent production across six NFL franchises reflects both his durability and his value as a complementary receiver.
Mack Hollins Career Wins
Mack Hollins’ career has been highlighted less by individual win totals and more by his role on winning rosters and his ability to deliver in key moments. His biggest team accomplishment is the Super Bowl LII championship earned with the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL Highlights
Hollins made an immediate impact with his first career touchdown, a 64-yard reception against the Washington Redskins in 2017. He later posted career highs of 158 receiving yards with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and five receiving touchdowns with the Buffalo Bills in 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Hollins led all NCAA major college players with an average of 24.8 yards per reception in 2015 and earned Second-team All-ACC honors. He was named ACC Receiver of the Week multiple times during his career at North Carolina.
Mack Hollins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Little public information is available about Mack Hollins’ parents or broader family background. He grew up in Rockville, Maryland, and has not publicly discussed a notable football lineage within his family.
Personal Life
Hollins is widely recognized among fans and teammates for his eccentric personality and habits, which include walking around barefoot as much as possible, eating without utensils, and avoiding house cats. These traits have earned him the nickname “Tarzan.” He rarely drinks water, citing a belief that “water’s a scam,” and primarily drinks watermelon juice. His diet consists mainly of raw meat, raw milk, and fruit, and he claims to have not eaten any vegetables since 2022. Hollins is a longtime volunteer and Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics, and he maintains an active TikTok account focused on life hacks and home improvement ideas.
2025 Season Performance
Mack Hollins entered the 2025 NFL season with the New England Patriots after signing a two-year contract on March 14, 2025. Coming off a career-best five-touchdown season with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, he joined a Patriots offense in transition, providing veteran experience on the perimeter and dependable special teams play.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Hollins has been deployed as a blocking receiver and situational target, primarily used to set the edge in the run game and contribute on coverage units. His red-zone experience and physical style fit the identity the Patriots have sought to build.
With his contract running through 2027, Hollins is expected to remain a steady contributor on special teams and a dependable rotational receiver. His familiarity with multiple offensive systems across six NFL teams gives New England flexibility, while his leadership in the locker room adds further value to a young roster.