Interview: 3-Star 2022 DE JJ Hollingsworth Talks Arkansas Razorbacks Spring Game Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The Arkansas Razorbacks’ 2022 recruiting class continues to grow with high-end talent pushing to No. 11 in the country per 247Sports thanks to players like JJ Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth (6-4, 255) turned in an All-State and All-Conference performance during the 2020 season taking down 66 ball carriers, 46 solo, with 13.5 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks from his defensive end position. The three-star Greenland High School standout “called the Hogs” on July 24, 2020, effectively ending his recruiting process. But Hollingsworth has been prominent in the recruitment of other players to Fayetteville helping flip in-state three-star receiver Quincey McAdoo from Florida State on April 16.
Fresh off his weekend visit to Fayetteville to see the Razorbacks’ spring game live, Hollingsworth stopped by the RNG Clubhouse for another update interview.
*Click the link for the Nov. 2020 RNG interview with JJ Hollingsworth
Interview
JJ, how are the offseason workouts coming along?
They are going pretty good. I am trying to get stronger, faster, and work on the little things for now.
What have you been focused on with your technique?
Firing off, staying low when I do, being more explosive, and overall getting stronger and faster.
Are you working on any new moves?
Some of everything. I am trying to learn some new stuff. I have been watching film and critiquing my game while getting ready for graduation in January.
Going to be an early enrollee?
Yes, sir.
Nice. Back to your moves; how many moves do you have now?
Oh man. I don’t know exactly. I have been working on my counter moves. If one does not work, going into another one or a third one.
Going into the weight room, how are you adding more strength and power to your game?
One of the biggest things that is helping me out is eating right. I have always eaten well but now I am leaning out. When I eat, I am not taking in smaller portions but what have done is started eating five to six times a day. I am eating right and watching what I am eating. With my workouts, I am doing bench, squats, and cleans – the explosive movements, plyometrics, and band work.
What are you doing to increase your burst and agility?
I run a lot of sprints. I work on explosiveness out of my stance. When I run sprints, I run them out of my stance. In track, I don’t run in meets, but I am working with my track coach on the little things that will help with football stuff.
Have you gone to any football camps this spring and/or do you have any coming up this summer?
None yet, but I plan on going to some this summer or spring.
Arkansas’ Red-White Spring Game was over the weekend, did you get to watch the Hogs’ spring game?
Yes, I was there yesterday. It was really cool. The team looked really good. It was a nice time going up there.
Watching their defense, what were your takeaways?
There is a lot I can help out with on the defensive line. No. 50, Eric Gregory, he is someone I can become. He is big and strong, and he is quick too. That is the type of player I can move into.
What all did you do while in Fayetteville for the spring game?
We ate and I went to the spring game with my family.
Arkansas’ 2022 class is building, are you helping with recruiting?
Yes. I talk to a lot of recruits on a daily basis. All the commits, we talk to each other and all the guys. We just flipped (WR) Quincy McAdoo from Florida State to Arkansas.
How is that bond with the staff growing?
We just got a new defensive line coach (Jermial Ashley), he is cool. I talked to Coach (Sam) Pittman (head coach). He called my brother on his birthday; a thing like that makes you appreciate the staff even more. Their new defensive line coach is cool. We talk a couple of times a week.
JJ, thank you for the update on your spring workouts and visit with the Razorbacks. Keep up the hard work.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Hollingsworth family; JJ Hollingsworth