2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ameer Hollowell, OL, UW-Oshkosh

• Name: Ameer Hollowell
• Height: 6’5
• Weight: 330 lbs
• Position: OL
• College: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
• Twitter: @Holliwood_77
• Instagram: @Holliwooddddddd

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
My collegiate experience has been eventful to say the least. Here at Oshkosh, I am majoring in Psychology, and I have a minor in Sociology. I have participated in the Black Student Union and the Psychology Club 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My best quality is my preparation. I take pride in knowing my opponents through good film study and also assist in sharing my analysis with my teammates. Some of my key attributes include my knowledge of the game, quickness, ability to play on the edge in space, and I can hand fight with any opponent.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
My role is that I’m the guy to get the job done in any situation as I focus on my task at hand. I played 10 of 11 games at RT in 2019. Although, I’m comfortable playing all 5 positions on the line. There’s versatility to what I can bring. The OL coach trusts me in the meeting rooms and film sessions. I can lead a group of young men by my actions.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
My best opponent was UW-Whitewater (coaching staff). They bring it to you, try and find your weakness and attempt to exploit it. Me being the newest on the OL I thought to myself that they were going to attempt to attack me consistently, so I made sure I knew pass rush moves of the LB/ DL core and how they adjusted to motions & different formations. 

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
Kobe Berghammer. He has great confidence and moxie as a freshman D3 QB. He’s sneaky athletic and is able to adjust and control the offense with poise. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
It had been a struggle finding a team to play for ever since high school. Coming out of high school, I had a scholarship to go to Vanderbilt. That was contingent upon me being academically eligible which I was not at the time. So, I bounced around a little bit to a few different schools & found myself ineligible to play football. In fall of 2017, my granddad was diagnosed with dementia so I enrolled in local community college and went to help my grandma take care of him all while holding a full-time job as a meat cutter. That had to be the biggest challenge in my life because I had to stay in shape, keep my mind sharp, and work on my football IQ and hand eye coordination for four years. My determination finally paid off when I got my opportunity to play in 2019 at UW-Oshkosh. I’m happy to say that I still feel confident in my abilities, and I’m thankful that Oshkosh gave me a chance and allowed me to dominate as the starter all season.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
In high school, I did a little shot put. If I had to play another sport, it would be basketball. That was my first love. My grandfather played collegiately and taught me how to play guard and forward.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I’m very proud of being engaged. That would be my biggest achievement, taking the next step in a relationship and being responsible for another human being.

With regards to football, I’m proud to say that I was dedicated to my craft until I was finally given the opportunity to play. Having an opportunity to coach high school football as an offensive coordinator before being a collegiate athlete was essential. Leading that group of young men daily was exhilarating and tips the scales for my IQ and awareness on the field and maturity off the field.

NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
Defeating Whitewater in our house for the Conference Championship game in 2019 was a great moment given that they were ranked # 3 in the country. We put in a lot of time in preparation. The emotions and fight that we gave in that game were tremendous. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
One of my favorite athlete stories has to be Orlando Brown Sr. He went from being an undrafted rookie free agent to winning a Super Bowl with the Ravens

Some of the players that I model my game after are Trent Williams and Jason Peters. Both have a great ability to exploit angles out of their pass sets. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
My favorite artist is 6LACK. My favorite song of his is Alone/EA6. Before a game, I listen to New York Times by 50 Cent, J Cole and Bas.

What is your favorite comfort food?
My dad is a great cook. My favorite of his would be his smoked salmon, asparagus and his special chili.

Do you have a favorite movie, TV show or actor?
A Different World. Some people used to call me Heavy D (Sinbad).

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
I like making a playbook for myself. One day I plan on being a head coach. My secret talent is looking good.

Who or what motivates you the most?
What motivates me is my successors, my future children. When they receive my last name, I want them to be proud, confident, and positive difference makers in the world.