Ga. Tech RB gets Cowboys' attention
Dallas, other teams watch Gailey-coached Hollings at workout
07/02/2003
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys were among nearly 20 teams in Atlanta on Tuesday to see the workout of former Georgia Tech running back Tony Hollings, who led the nation in rushing last season through four games before blowing out his left knee.
The Cowboys sent trainer Britt Brown to look at Hollings' repaired knee, along with two scouts.
Hollings (5-10, 223) made himself eligible for the NFL's July 10 supplemental draft after being declared academically ineligible after the spring semester. Hollings is the most intriguing prospect of a nearly nonexistent supplemental draft class of six players. (Until two weeks ago, only receiver Brad Pyatt of Northern Colorado and defensive end Earl Cochran of Alabama State had entered).
Hollings was a safety who played mostly special teams his first two seasons at Georgia Tech. But he moved to running back as a junior under coach Chan Gailey and ran wild.
After games against Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Clemson and BYU, Hollings had run for 633 yards on 92 carries (6.9 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. He was second in scoring at the time of his injury.
He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the final minutes of a victory over BYU. Hollings, however, says he's recovered. Agent Todd France says his client is a steal.
The supplemental draft lasts seven rounds. Any team selecting Hollings will forfeit its pick in the same round in next year's NFL draft. Most NFL experts say Hollings will probably be taken in the fourth or fifth round. Teams considered most interested are Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Green Bay, New England and Tampa Bay.