Jevon Holland – May 15, 2021
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Saturday, May 15, 2021
S Jevon Holland
(I was wondering if Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer wants you to learn both safety and corner. Obviously you’ve had success at both at Oregon. Or are you focusing on free safety for now?) – “I’m trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible, really and wherever Coach (Boyer) wants me, I’m just trying to help the team win.”
(I saw your family posted a really heartfelt message to you when you were getting into the airport last week or this week. Just wanted to get – what did that message kind of mean to you when you looked back on it on your way over here?) – “It meant a lot. My family – they are a big part of my support system and so that was near and dear to my heart, and I appreciated that from my father, of course. Thank you.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores doesn’t praise incoming rookies or rookies too often. He makes you guys show something first. But one thing he said after you were drafted caught my attention. He said that Jevon, he believes, has the ability to quarterback a defense and that you’re a good communicator. Can you tell me about what you think goes into doing that well – quarterbacking the defense?) – “I think learning as much as possible about the defense and then having a team mentality is definitely what goes into that, and that’s what I’m trying to do right now, of course. Just trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible and then at the end of the day, be able to help my teammates in any way possible.”
(I wanted to ask you about a drill we saw on social today – our social team posted it to Twitter where you were working the hand drills and the bags and stuff, and I’m wondering how important it is to have active and physical good hands for a defensive back and just what you can take away from that drill?) – “I think it’s important to be as well-rounded as possible and absorb as much knowledge as possible – like I’ve previously said in the previous questions, of course. I’m just trying to get as wide a perspective as possible as a player. I’m new to the team. I’m trying to find my role, so really trying to absorb everything, like I’ve said previously, and really just help the team in any way.”
(I know you opted out last season. What was it like being in an organized practice today? Did you feel like you were training enough during your year off or do you feel like you have a little ways to go?) – “I feel like I am in the rookie class and progressing and getting a lot of knowledge thrown at me and trying to absorb it all. So I feel fine, thanks.”
(One of your teammates is CB Xavien Howard and he’s one of the best pass interceptors in the NFL, if not the best, and I always like asking him about the things that go in with interceptions. Interceptions don’t just happen. It’s film study, etc. You had a bunch of picks in your first two years in college, so can you kind of tell me what you think are some of the keys that go into recording an interception on game day?) – “I think in college, it’s a completely different beast than the NFL and so these are high-caliber quarterbacks – these are really great quarterbacks – so I have no knowledge of how to get an interception in the NFL. And that’s really what I’m trying to (do). I’m trying to absorb all the knowledge that’s possible, so when Xavien (Howard) gets here, I hope to pick his brain and get as much knowledge as he’ll give to me so I can go out there and perform and help my team win.”
(Going back to the communication part of your game, a lot of times with pro athletes, you hear about their really good communication skills, but you also learn that when they were younger they were super silent and had to come out of their shell. Have you always been a vocal leader, that kind of player, or did it take a transition for you?) – “I think my personality here has always been somebody who likes to speak up, but in terms of football, I think knowing what you’re supposed to do and having the confidence while playing is exactly what goes into communicating. So yeah, I think there’s truth in that.”
(You’ve had a couple of days now on the field and in the classroom with your rookie teammates. I’m just wondering what your first impression of the class is and is there maybe like one theme that kind you recognize in all these guys down here together now?) – “Everybody’s a hard worker, and everybody understands that they’re coming in here trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible and just find a role. That’s really the common goal here, is find a role and produce and help the team.”
(I wanted to ask you about the process of rookie camp. Obviously last year they didn’t even have a rookie camp. This year you guys don’t necessarily have a full complete team, but you have enough to practice. What’s the day like for you? What’s the routine?) – “Really, I have no idea, any recollection of last year or the previous year of how rookie camp should be. I only know that this year we’re going out there and competing every team period or periods that we have, and then supporting each other, make sure we’re communicating and bringing all the meetings and the information that we get from the meetings and the one-on-one talks with our coaches and put them onto the field.”
(I do have one more football question, but I’m curious – a few of us here even though we live in South Florida are hockey fans. I’m just curious as a Canadian-born kid, do you watch hockey? Do you have a favorite team or player?) – “I don’t watch hockey as much as I would like to, but I will say go Canucks because that’s the home team, so always got to shoutout to the home team.”
(When you’re playing center field – when that’s your role on a particular play when you’re in deep safety, deep center field – what advantages can that provide for a defensive back?) – “The advantages come from understanding and knowing the plays and the defensive scheme and that comes from the meetings, and so really that also comes from absorbing as much knowledge as possible, so that I can go out there and help my team in any way, shape or form.”
(I was just going to ask you was it fun to participate in your first practice in 16 or 17 months these last couple days and are you proud of how you kept yourself in shape even while not playing college football season last year?) – “I will say it’s very fun being out there. I’m having a great time. This is everything I’ve looked forward to, so I’m just excited to help my team really.”
(And your shape? You obviously stayed in great shape. Was that a challenge? Are you pleased with where you are from a conditioning standpoint?) – “Like many of you know, Miami is abnormally hot and I’ve been on the West Coast my entire life. I’ve never been to Florida, so it is a different type of heat. I tried to stay in shape as much as possible, but adapting to the weather is definitely something that we really try to do and that I’m trying to do. So really it’s adapt or die, so you got to adapt.”
