Justin Hollins Bio
Justin Hollins is an American professional football defensive end who has built a journeyman career across multiple NFL franchises. Born on January 15, 1996, in Arlington, Texas, Hollins played college football at the University of Oregon before being selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, Hollins has suited up for the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, and Buffalo Bills, accumulating 123 tackles and 10.5 sacks across his NFL tenure. He achieved the pinnacle of professional football when he helped the Los Angeles Rams capture Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.
Early Life and Background
Justin Hollins grew up in Arlington, Texas, where he attended Grace Preparatory Academy before transferring to Martin High School for his senior year. At Martin High School, Hollins played on the same defensive line as future NFL draft first-overall pick Myles Garrett. During his high school career, Hollins recorded 59 tackles and four sacks. He earned recognition as a three-star prospect from multiple recruiting services and ultimately chose to continue his football journey at the University of Oregon over scholarship offers from more than a dozen schools, including Oklahoma, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Iowa.
Path to the NFL
Hollins committed to play for the Oregon Ducks in 2014, beginning a five-season collegiate career that would establish him as one of the most productive defensive players in the Pacific-12 Conference. After redshirting during his sophomore season, Hollins worked his way into the starting lineup on the Oregon defensive line and quickly became a disruptive force. His redshirt junior season saw him accumulate 59 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, along with an interception returned for a touchdown.
As a redshirt senior in 2018, Hollins delivered a standout campaign that positioned him among the nation’s elite defensive players. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 after recording 64 total tackles, including 14.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks, while forcing five fumbles, grabbing one interception, and defending six passes. Remarkably, Hollins was the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision that season to record at least five sacks, five forced fumbles, and one interception. Following the college season, he participated in the 2019 East-West Shrine Game and earned defensive MVP honors with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. He finished his Oregon career with 184 total tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, two interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Justin Hollins Career
Denver Broncos (2019-2020)
Justin Hollins was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 156th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Broncos had acquired this selection by trading quarterback Trevor Siemian to the Minnesota Vikings. Hollins signed his four-year rookie contract worth $300,000 in guaranteed money on May 14, 2019. He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2019, against the Oakland Raiders and recorded his first career sack on November 3, 2019, during a game against the Cleveland Browns. Hollins finished his rookie season with 21 tackles, one sack, and two pass deflections across 15 games played.
Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2020-2022)
On September 5, 2020, Hollins was waived by the Broncos and was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams the following day. This move proved to be the defining chapter of his early career. In Week 4 of the 2020 season against the New York Giants, Hollins recorded his first sack as a Ram during a 17-9 victory. He continued his disruptive play throughout the season, adding a strip sack of quarterback Kyler Murray in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals that the Rams recovered in their 38-28 win.
The 2021 season presented challenges when Hollins suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle in Week 3, forcing him to injured reserve on September 27, 2021. He was activated on December 13 and returned for the stretch run. Hollins reached the ultimate achievement in professional football when he played in Super Bowl LVI, where the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. Hollins contributed one tackle in the championship game. He was waived by the Rams on November 22, 2022.
Green Bay Packers (2022-2023)
Hollins joined the Green Bay Packers on November 24, 2022, after being claimed off waivers. On March 23, 2023, the Packers re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million. Hollins appeared in multiple games for Green Bay before being released on October 21, 2023.
New York Giants (2023)
Shortly after his release from Green Bay, Hollins signed with the New York Giants practice squad on October 24, 2023, looking to continue his NFL career with a new organization.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2023-Present)
Justin Hollins joined the Los Angeles Chargers on November 15, 2023, signing off the Giants practice squad. This marked his return to the Southern California market and provided him with an opportunity to contribute to a Chargers defense seeking to improve its pass rush. Hollins brought experience and versatility to the defensive line rotation, having demonstrated his ability to pressure quarterbacks and stop the run throughout his career. His familiarity with the NFC Championship-caliber style of play from his time in Los Angeles with the Rams offered valuable perspective for his new team.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Justin Hollins operates primarily as an edge rusher with the versatility to play multiple techniques along the defensive line. His 6-foot-5 frame and 248-pound build provide him with the length and power to set edges against the run while also possessing the burst and bend to threaten quarterbacks in passing situations. Hollins has demonstrated a knack for forcing turnovers throughout his career, with his ability to strip quarterbacks standing out as a particular strength. His experience across multiple defensive schemes allows him to adapt quickly to different playbooks and contribute in various roles depending on game situations and opponent tendencies.
Notable Events and Milestones
The crowning achievement of Justin Hollins’ career remains his Super Bowl LVI championship with the Los Angeles Rams in February 2022. Competing against the Cincinnati Bengals in Inglewood, California, Hollins and the Rams defense made crucial stops in the fourth quarter to preserve a 23-20 victory. Beyond the championship, Hollins’ 2019 East-West Shrine Game MVP performance served as an early indicator of his ability to make plays at the next level, as he dominated against professional-caliber competition before his rookie season began.
Justin Hollins Career Wins
Justin Hollins has accumulated key achievements across his collegiate and professional football career, including conference honors at Oregon and a Super Bowl championship in the NFL. His career statistics through the 2023 NFL season include 123 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and three pass deflections across regular-season play.
NFL Career Highlights
In five NFL seasons through 2023, Hollins has established himself as a reliable rotational defensive end capable of contributing in both the running and passing game. His 10.5 career sacks represent a solid foundation of pass-rushing productivity, while his three forced fumbles demonstrate his ability to create turnovers at critical moments. Hollins’ rookie sack against the Cleveland Browns in November 2019 marked the beginning of his professional career scoring record, and his first Rams sack against the Giants in 2020 showed his seamless transition to a new defensive system. His contributions during the Rams’ championship season in 2021-2022 culminated in the ultimate team achievement.
College Achievements
At Oregon, Hollins earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and was recognized as the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to record at least five sacks, five forced fumbles, and one interception during the 2018 season. His Shrine Game MVP performance solidified his draft stock and demonstrated his ability to excel in all aspects of defensive play against top prospects.
| Season | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career (NFL through 2023) | 123 | 10.5 | 3 |
Justin Hollins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While specific details about Justin Hollins’ family background remain private, his connection to future NFL star Myles Garrett during their high school days at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, highlights the elite company he kept early in his football development. Growing up in the football-rich environment of Arlington, Texas, provided Hollins with access to strong competition and development opportunities that helped prepare him for the collegiate and professional levels.
Personal Life
Justin Hollins maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. He has remained focused on his football career while navigating the journeyman path that has taken him through multiple NFL organizations. Hollins’ ability to continue earning opportunities in the NFL demonstrates both his resilience and his value as a dependable defensive player capable of contributing in various schemes and situations.
2025 Season Performance
Justin Hollins signed with the Buffalo Bills on August 5, 2025, joining a franchise with strong Super Bowl aspirations. The Bills, known for their consistent competitiveness in the AFC, provided Hollins with an opportunity to contribute to a winning culture and potentially add to his championship pedigree. He was placed on injured reserve on August 14, 2025, and was released on August 19, 2025. This brief tenure with the Bills ended before the regular season began, leaving Hollins to seek opportunities elsewhere in the league as teams continue to evaluate their roster composition heading into the latter portion of the 2025 season.