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CIS Football Player Profile: Dylan Hollohan, StFX X-Men (4 of 26)
More profiles at http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/fball/2011-12/files/playerprofile11
Source: Krista McKenna, StFX Athletics and John Keefe, Atlantic University Sport
Name: Dylan Hollohan
University: StFX
Hometown: Moncton, N.B.
High school / Cegep: Bernice MacNaughton High
School
Position(s): Defensive Back / Free Safety / Punt
Returner
Academic program: Engineering
Year of eligibility: 4
Height: 5-10
Weight: 183
Key stats 2010: Appeared in six of eight regular season games, recording 24.0 tackles and an interception, before missing the final two games due to a concussion...Returned a missed field goal 119 yards for a touchdown vs. Montreal (09/18/10), the second longest missed field goal return in school history.
Awards & honours (since start of CIS
career):
- 2010: Named an Atlantic conference all-star (Safety); Named
the Week 2 AUS Special Teams Player of the Week.
- 2009: Named a second team CIS all-Canadian (CB)...Named an
Atlantic conference all-star (CB)...Led the AUS in interceptions
with five...Named the Week 4 AUS Defensive Player of the Week.
PROFILE
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Dylan Hollohan is heading into his fourth year with the StFX X-Men with high expectations despite coming off a 1-7 season which saw the X-Men miss the post-season for the first time since 2001.
When asked what he is most looking forward to this season, he is quick to respond.
“Playing for the AUS Championship on November 12th,” says Hollohan, a 5-foot-1 safety from Moncton, N.B. “We have a good group of returning players and Coach Waterman has put together a great recruiting class again. I’m excited for the 2011 season and to see what the new talent has to offer at training camp.”
Hollohan, who has played every position in StFX’s defensive secondary and is one of the conference’s most dangerous kick returners, will look to lead a defense that is losing arguably two of the best linebackers in the conference.
Reigning CIS defensive player of the year Henoc Muamba was selected first overall in the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and 2009 AUS defensive player of the year Tom Lynch has transferred to the University of Saskatchewan.
Dylan, a fourth-year engineering student, had a breakthrough year in 2009 where he led the Atlantic conference in interceptions, earning him CIS all-Canadian second-team status.
He was moved to free safety for the 2010 season and was recognized as an AUS all-star despite missing the final two games due to injury.
Hollohan has had a busy off-season, including impressive appearances at the 2011 CFL Combine and the 2011 CIS East-West Bowl hosted by the University of Western Ontario, where he was named a team captain for the East squad.
“We expect Dylan to have a great 2011 season,” says StFX defensive coordinator Jon Svec. “He has matured as a player and worked himself into great shape. He now knows our defense cold and should be able to play fast and make a lot of big plays.”
The X-Men will host the Mount Allison Mounties in an exhibition contest on September 3rd before kicking off the regular season campaign September 10th at home versus the Acadia Axemen.
Dylan’s Year-by-Year Profile:
2010: (Junior) Ranked in the top 5 in four of the six tests administered as part of the 2011 CFL Combine, including a 4.629 second performance in the 40-yard dash...Selected to play in the 2011 CIS East-West Bowl at Western...Named an AUS all-star (safety)...Appeared in six regular season games, recording 24.0 tackles and an interception, before missing the final two games due to a concussion...Named the Week 2 AUS Special Teams Player of the Week...Returned a missed field goal 119 yards for a touchdown vs. Montreal (09/18/10), the second longest in school history.
2009: (Sophomore) Selected to the World Team roster of the best players aged 19 and under from IFAF member countries to compete against Team USA during the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl week in Florida...Named a second team CIS all-Canadian (CB)...Named an Atlantic conference all-star (CB)...Led the AUS in interceptions with five and recorded 16.5 tackles and broke up six passes in eight regular-season games...Named the Week 4 AUS Defensive Player of the Week...Registered a career-high two interceptions vs. Acadia (10/03/09), including a 35-yard return for a TD.
2008: (Freshman) Named a CIS academic all-Canadian...Appeared in six regular season games, registering 2.5 tackles and 1 interception...Registered his first career interception vs. Saint Mary’s (10/24/08), which he returned 32 yards.
Before StFX: Played for the Bernice MacNaughton High School (BMHS) Highlanders for four seasons from 2004-07... played slotback, running back and returner, helping the Highlanders win a pair of New Brunswick provincial championships...was named 2005 BMHS team offensive MVP…was a 2007 NBHSFL all-star...greatest high school football memory was winning a provincial semifinal in triple overtime on a Hail Mary pass and then winning the final on a similar play the following week in 2005.
StFX Head Coach Gary Waterman on Dylan:
“Dylan is playing at a high level right now. We always knew he was a good athlete, but in 2008 we had a number of veteran guys in his position. In 2009 he took advantage of his opportunities and it paid off with a league-leading five interceptions and all-Canadian recognition.”
"Dylan is coming off another strong off-season and the biggest thing with Dylan is that he's always around the football. He's made plays in the past two years that guys playing his position don't have in their careers. As a fourth year player, we’re looking forward to his leadership and big-play potential to anchor our defensive secondary in 2011."
StFX Defensive Coordinator Jon Svec on Dylan:
“Dylan's biggest strength is his football intelligence. He works hard to know our systems and our game plans, and is good at adjusting on the fly. He really is a phenomenal athlete and tested very well at the East West Bowl. He is very quick and has great leaping ability.“
“I definitely feel that Dylan has CFL potential. He performed well at the East West Bowl and turned a lot of heads. He was named a team captain for the East. Dylan can, and has, played every position in the secondary, as well as a lot of special teams. That versatility should be attractive to CFL teams.”
“I think he should get drafted in 2012. If he has the kind of season we are expecting of him, his stock will rise. If/when he finds himself in a CFL camp, he will impress a lot of people.”
Did You Know: Dylan’s favourite NFL team is the San Francisco 49ers....his favourite current NFL player is Patrick Willis…his favourite food is steak or poutine…the person who has influenced his life is his mother who has raised him and brother Cody by herself while working several jobs, putting herself through school and helping her sons participate in competitive sports.
Getting to know Dylan Hollohan:
Q. What brought you to StFX?
A. As far as football, I saw an incredible amount of
talent there and wanted to be a part of it. Having the option
to pursue engineering and play football played a big part in my
decision. Finally, my brother had been there for two years
and it felt like home.
Q. What has been the biggest adjustment from high
school to university level football?
A. The biggest adjustment was definitely the depth of
knowledge that you need in order to be successful as a team.
You can't get away with having an undisciplined group of talented
athletes that aren't on the same page.
Q. What has been your best moment in a StFX uniform
so far?
A. My best moment would have to have been a fourth quarter
interception against Acadia in 2009 in the AUS semifinal. I like to
think it was the turning point in the game, leading to a comeback
win.
Q. One thing I cannot live without
is...?
A. Chips.
Q. My dream vacation destination
is...?
A. On the beaches of Australia, minus the sharks.
Q. Tell us one thing that fans may not know about
you?
A. I beg my coaches to let me play on the offensive
side of the ball every second day.
Follow Dylan on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DylanHollohan21
Dylan’s Career Stats Summary:
DEFENSE GP Solo Ast. Tackles Sacks
TFL Int BrUp QBH FF FR Blkd Saf
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008
6 2 1
2.5 0.0
0.0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0
2009
8 13 7
16.5 0.0
0.0 5 6
0 1 1 0 0
2010
6 15 18
24.0 0.5
1.5 1 1
0 0 0 0 0
Total
20 30 26
43.0 0.5
1.5 7 7
0 1 1 0 0
PUNT RETURNS GP No. Yds TD
Long Avg
-------------------------------------------
2008
6 4 29
0 18 7.25
2009
8 5 121 0
55 24.20
2010
6 26 285 1 119
10.96
Total
20 35 435 1 119
12.43
KICK RETURNS GP No. Yds TD
Long Avg
-------------------------------------------
2008
6 0 0
0 0 0.00
2009
8 1 18
0 18 18.00
2010
6 1 13
0 13 13.00
Total
20 2 31
0 18 15.50
INT. RETURNS GP No. Yds TD
Long Avg
-------------------------------------------
2008
6 1 32
1 32 32.00
2009
8 5 87
1 44 17.40
2010
6 1 17
0 17 17.00
Total
20 7 136 2
44 19.43
ALL-PURPOSE GP Rush Rcv
PRet KRet IRet Total Avg/G
-------------------------------------------------------------
2008
6 0
0 29 0
32 61 10.17
2009
8 0 0
121 18 87
226 28.25
2010
6 -3 0
285 13 17
312 52.00
Total
20 -3 0
435 31 136
599 29.95
