Former EIU All-American receiver Hollins breaking out in Canadian Football League

Alexander Hollins (13) ranks among CFL leaders in multiple receiving categories. (Photo by Steven Chang, BCLions.com)

By Dan Verdun

The last time Alexander Hollins enjoyed a hugely productive season was as an All-American at Eastern Illinois. Now, he’s on track to do the same thing in the Canadian Football League.

The 26-year-old ranks among the CFL leaders in virtually every receiving category. Through nine games, Hollins has 41 receptions for 554 yards (13.5 per catch average) and three touchdowns.

“There ain’t no secret,” Hollins told Prairie State Pigskin. “I’m just working. That’s what you do.”

EIU memories

Hollins played two seasons at Eastern Illinois (2017-18) after transferring from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in his home state of Mississippi.

Hollins started 22 games and was the Panthers’ primary pass receiver. He finished his EIU career with 127 receptions for 1,796 yards and 23 touchdowns, all of which placed him among the program’s all-time leaders.

“I have a lot of memories, especially being with the guys,” Hollins said.

His greatest memory, though, came away from the field for the most part. It’s from the summer leading into his senior year.

“I had to make money to pay for my summer, so I worked at Lambo’s, the gas station,” Hollins recalled. “I’d work eight-, nine-, 10-hour shifts and go straight to the field to work out. Sometimes the police would come kick us off the field at midnight.

“And then, I’d be back the next morning at 5:30 to work out. Then, it was back to work at the gas station and that (cycle) went all summer long.”

Hollins still keeps in touch with former EIU head coach Kim Dameron along with position coaches Alvah Hansbro and Micah Smith.

“You know how coaching is. One minute you’re here, the next you’re there,” he said. “It’s a roller coaster, but I keep in touch.”

Hollins also keeps in touch with former teammates via group texts and social media.

He also remembers the 2018 season opener at Arkansas, Dameron’s alma mater.

“It was the SEC. That was a big game for me. Obviously, we were taken lightly, but I always came to play,” Hollins said of his nine-catch, 127-yard, three-touchdown day.

Hollins was named to multiple All-American teams, including first-team honors from PhilSteele.com. He was a first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection.

Playing in the pros

Hollins signed with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in April 2019. Though he was waived at the end of summer camp, Hollins resigned as a practice squad member.

In December, Hollins was added to the roster, playing in four games and catching two passes for 46 yards in the Vikings’ final regular season game against Chicago.

Hollins rode the NFL merry-go-round of the waiver wire, practice squads and injuries the next two COVID-affected seasons.

“I hurt my hamstring during the preseason (with Cleveland in 2021),” he said. “One of the big things in the league is availability. I wasn’t, so they released me. I was pretty much out the whole year.”

Canadian club

Hollins had offers from two CFL teams in 2022; he chose the BC Lions.

“Obviously it’s a little bit different (than American football) with some of the rules,” he said.

For Hollins, the most challenging adjustment isn’t the three downs or the wider field or bigger end zone.

“It’s the head start run before the ball is hiked. And when you’re on the line of scrimmage, you can go down the line (with multiple men moving),” he said. “I remember saying, ‘Wait! That’s crazy, you can’t do that!’

“I also had to adjust to the quarterback’s timing. (Early on), I was three or four yards behind the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.”

Hollins’ pro progression has seen his game grow.

“I’ve improved my route running, getting in and out of my breaks. I feel I can run any route you can draw on the tree,” he said. “My pass catching has also gotten better.”

Hollins and the Lions have enjoyed success, tied with Winnipeg atop the CFL West Division standings.

“The end goal is the Grey Cup,” Hollins said. “As for myself, it’s just to be the best I can be. I want to help this team put up points.”

Hollins grew up in Yazoo City, Miss., which according to Wikipedia has a population of 11,403 and where the main industry is a group of federal prisons.

He finds life in western Canada “beautiful.”

“Where I come from in Mississippi it’s not much over 10,000 (people), so there’s not much to see there,” he said. “But here, you get to see a lot. There’s nature and tall buildings together. There’s so much to do. I enjoy going on hikes.”

NFL aspirations

Hollins admits he wants another chance to play again in the NFL.

“I want a full year being healthy,” he said. “I’m putting up some good numbers, so that’s my goal, to get an opportunity to get back.

“But, if it doesn’t work out, I’ll have a home here with the Lions.”