On this week Return the herd episode, ex Oregon ducks Consensus All-American safety Verone McKinley III sits down with former Oregon Ducks football legend and former teammate safety Jevon Holland ahead of Saturday’s matchup against him. Maryland Terrapins.

“We really focused on everything we could control. So we were really focused inward and pouring into each other. Everyone was very talented, just like what the Ducks have now. So the main message, where we fell short, was we let the outside noise, after a bunch of success, come in,” Holland said after McKinley asked about advice for the current Ducks team.

It is an important message that coach Dan Lanning often reiterate to the current team. Going to the doctor, never being satisfied, making opponents quit and so on. These are common phrases you hear from the Ducks staff and player base. To continue with these things requires a certain amount of acceptance and commitment. As the Ducks hit the road, there’s no better time than now to cash in on those points.

Holland’s Ducks career is comparable to the program’s all-time greats. Despite having few major honors and accolades, the eye test and numbers are undeniably great. Holland played in 27 games during his Ducks career and started 16. Beyond the numbers, Holland’s infectious attitude and leadership qualities extended far beyond the gridiron.

During Holland’s true freshman season, he totaled a team-high 44 tackles, 11 pass breakups and five interceptions. He followed that fantastic debut by totaling 66 tackles, eight pass breakups, four interceptions, a team-high, one interception return for a touchdown, and averaged 15.3 yards per return on 16 returns.

Holland earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors following his sophomore season with the Ducks. After opting out of the COVID season, Holland was selected 36th overall in the second round of 2021 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Now in his fourth season with the Miami Dolphins, Holland is one of the most productive safeties in the National Football League.

The Ducks and Terrapins will kick off at 4pm PT at Autzen Stadium. Oregon looks to go 10-0 while Maryland will look to pull off the upset.