2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Dax Hollifield, LB, Virginia Tech

• Name: Dax Hollifield
• Position: LB
• College: Virginia Tech
• Height: 6’1″
• Weight: 240 lbs
• Twitter: @ChiefDax_25
• Instagram: @chief_dax_4

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

It just runs in my family, my grandfather played at Western Carolina and my dad played at Wake Forest and now he’s a coach so that’s why I was attracted to football.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

In high school I won 3 state championships then going to Virginia Tech and playing ACC football and getting coached by Bud Foster and my first few snaps against Florida State and wins over Virginia like in 2021.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Just to make the 53 man roster, do the little things I can and get an opportunity and make the most of it.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Rob Gronkowski, he’s a fun fellow and his financial planning is great. So getting to pick his brain for a day would be great.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My 2 little sisters, I have a sister that’s 10 and a sister that’s 7 and that’s inspiring to me because I’m the oldest and I like to look after them.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

3-3-5, in the ACC being out front at linebacker I like rushing outside and plus you can rush the quarterback in so many ways. But personally I like playing the mike and controlling things if it wasn’t in the ACC.

What should we know about Dax Hollifield the person?

A cool guy to hang out with, I love football, I love to cook and wielding, I’m a big outdoorsman and I love cutting grass.

What stands out about your film the most?

I read things really fast, I feel like a coach on the field, know where everyone should be on the field and hits things downfield and I’m really cerebral and I think thats what stands out on tape.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

You got to stay calm when you face adversity and be cool headed and live in the moment, don’t think in the past or the future and take it one day at a time.

What would a team get in a player like you?

I’m going to be the first guy in the facility and last guy out. Treat it like a 9-5 job, play special teams if needed and I’ll accept whatever role I get and that’s what a team will get in me.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I think it’s just an application of life, you got to see how you respond to it and get through it and football is about what you are doing and it’s constant growth and its a war of attrition and that’s what I love about football.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Jarrod Hewitt, who is on the Seahawks practice squad, he’s a really gritty guy and does things the right way and embodies the war of attrition and is one of the most underrated guys I’ve played with.