Dolphins' Jevon Holland wants Pro Bowl and opponents to 'fear' him

MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins free safety Jevon Holland intercepted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for a third straight practice, and fourth time this week, on Thursday.

"He's a great athlete, but his instincts set him apart," Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe said after practice. "He makes plays you shouldn't be able to make."

Holland, a second-year player, seems well on his way to a Pro Bowl future.

Does Holland want to become a Pro Bowler?

"Absolutely," Holland said. "I mean, it's, I desire to be the best player that I can be. You know, what I'm saying? And those type of things are, are the standard that I hold myself at. And I want to rise to those occasions. Absolutely. As a competitor, I feel like you should strive to be the best you can be. And if that's your goal, then you should definitely do that."

Holland has speed, instincts, range, toughness, ball skills and leadership. And while he is not arrogant, he is very confident in his abilities.

"I just want offenses to fear me," Holland said. "Really not necessarily the quarterback, more of the coaches."

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Holland will record interceptions. He will force fumbles. He will sack quarterbacks.

"I think I've improved in every category because I continue to plan on improving because I don't think I hit my ceiling yet," Holland said.

Holland said he has the utmost respect for NFL safeties like Bob Sanders, Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Derwin James, Kevin Byard, Budda Baker and Tyrann Mathieu.

At Oregon, Holland closely studied film of Fitzpatrick and Mathieu.

He also respects what Reed, the former University of Miami legend, has done.

"I tried to take his whole game, everything he does really, you know, he was a phenomenal player," Holland said. "He played with such energy, such grit and furious intention. So really, his attitude and the way that he plays in the post is really what I was trying to focus on."

Holland has an uncanny ability to get the ball and make plays when he get there.

What are some of the keys to that success?

"Well obviously starts in the film room, understanding quarterback looks and whatnot," Holland said. "And then as you're in your pedal, you know, you've got to understand your technique and what you have to do. And then trusting your instincts, really.

"And then as you get closer to the ball, we work on deep ball drills and everything like that. So it's understanding your discipline, distance from the receiver and the sideline, judging the ball correctly, going up and grabbing it. Focusing on getting the ball first, and then you know, anything else. So there's a lot, there's a lot that goes into those deep balls, not just running and going to get it."

Joe Schad is a journalist at the Palm Beach Post part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins' Jevon Holland has looked like a sure-fire Pro Bowler