The casual fan has probably never heard of Rollins. Even hardcore college football fans would probably struggle to pick him out of a player lineup. He’s much more recognizable as a basketball player, where he played four years for the RedHawks and finished 2nd in career steals.
Rollins was a high school football star in Wilmington OH but didn’t play the game in college until this year. He apparently never lost his superlative ability. He’s a well-built 6’1” and 205 pounds, and the quickness and nose for the ball that made him successful on the hardwood clearly translates to the gridiron. Rollins has proven he can make the athletic play on the ball in the air, and he’s shown surprisingly polished instincts in coverage. Run support is coming along nicely too. Rollins is a thumping hitter crashing on the ball, though he’s much better at attacking receivers in space than runners in traffic. He played quite well against Michigan, including a couple of situations where he locked up first-rounder Devin Funchess.
Rollins is another Senior Bowl invitee and an under-the-radar player you need to make yourself aware of. Here is a
YouTube highlight reel to give you a taste. Don’t EVER scout off a highlight tape, but his athleticism, closing burst and hitting prowess are on full display. The RedHawks take on my Ohio Bobcats next Tuesday on national TV, a good chance to get an extended look against a Bobcat team with a strong running game and mobile QB.
