Hollins hoping to see Rocky Top

Jefferson high school in Tampa, Florida has produced some unbelievable Division One players over the years. Next year will be no different and defensive back DeAndre Hollins will be near the top of the list. His recruitment is set to really gain traction over the next few months and right now, certain schools are standing out.

"Central Florida, Louisville and Tennessee have been after me the hardest," Hollins said. "Things are going really well. I'm just seeing more and more attention from schools. I'm just taking things slow."

At 6-foot-2, Hollins is long and lanky. He shows the ability to bring certain attributes to the table.

"It's probably my versatility," Hollins said. "I feel like I can move as if I was a receiver backwards. I feel like I have good feet and my ball skills are great. I used to play a little bit of receiver so I have a little bit of that inside me."

He is still learning about Tennessee, but does know what type of program they are historically. He also likes that Tennessee has been very aggressive in their recruitment of him.

"When they saw me, they instantly knew they wanted me at their school," Hollins said. "That's what I liked about them because it shows they like what they see. The coaches at my school know coach (Larry) Scott and they all trust him. That tells me a lot."

Hollins plans on seeing some different schools this spring and summer. It's about finding the right fit and Tennessee is definitely on the "to see" list.

"I'd like to come up for the Tennessee spring game," Hollins said. "I want to see as many schools as possible to get a feel for all the schools I'm interested in. I think that is important because it's going to let me see how comfortable I'd be."

So what is Hollins looking for in a future school?

"It's more about being comfortable with the team," Hollins said. "I don't want to go to a team where I feel like I have to be different. I want to be on the same platform as the studs. I want to be like the rest of the team like it's a family."

And with any prospect from the sunshine state, the question has to be asked. Can he see himself leaving the state of Florida to play college football?

"I can see myself leaving the state of Florida," Hollins said. "It's going to be a special place, no matter the school I choose. I just want the best fit for me."

Rivals.com ranks Hollins as a 3-star defensive back in the class of 2018.