His Virginia football career has been an exercise in patience so far for Mike Hollins. The running back hopes the payoff comes next.

Entering his junior year, Hollins has worked mostly as an understudy. He’s started only once and for the most part backed up Wayne Taulapapa, who transferred to Washington after last season. Hollins has had double-digits carries only twice. The Cavaliers titled the scales toward the passing game heavily last season with quarterback Brennan Armstrong but even when runs hit the play sheet in recent seasons, many belonged to the quarterback.

Throw in a gap year forced by the global pandemic – Hollins opted to sit out the 2020 season – and it has been a bit of a waiting game. Whether it was the decision to return to UVA after that year off or working through the unexpected coaching change from Bronco Mendenhall to Tony Elliott this offseason, he has tried to maintain perspective.

“Just staying grounded. Keeping the ones, my teammates, friends, people on the staff who know me for who I am and knew me as a first year and stayed in touch throughout my year out,” Hollins said. “Coming back, I just trust that God doesn’t make mistakes, trusting in this new staff, and allowing myself to buy in. And just not trying to adapt alone. Just trying to adapt with my team. Pull others with me and when I’m struggling allowing others to pull me up. I think the adaptation part is kind of team-wide. For me personally, it’s just so exciting to be back. I feel like all the reps I missed in the past are coming to us this spring and like I said, I want to be a sponge, I want to soak everything up, and just enjoy it.”

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