O’Dowd’s 2025 Cor Unum Awardee: Jevon Holland ’18

The Cor Unum Award, named for the school’s motto, “One Heart in Christ,” is Bishop O’Dowd High School’s highest honor. It is presented each year to a select member of the O’Dowd community whose life and work embody our mission to create a more just, joyful, and sustainable world.

The 2025 recipient of Bishop O’Dowd High School’s Cor Unum Award is Jevon Holland ’18.

“I remember my very first classroom experience at O’Dowd,” Jevon recalls. “It was a literature class with Mr. Lucas. He was explaining the syllabus and he called on me to answer a question. His whole demeanor was so engaging and so funny that the entire class burst into laughter. That’s when I knew, O’Dowd is the place I want to be.”

As a student, Jevon was deeply engaged in campus life. He was active in the Black Student Union and a proud participant in O’Dowd’s renowned African American History Celebration. While football was a defining part of his high school experience, Jevon also discovered a love for the arts - taking cinema with Mr. Blasser, ceramics with Mrs. Loewinsohn, and drawing with Mr. Sanchez. “Mr. Sanchez was also a football coach, so some of that style came through in his classes and I vibed with that,” Jevon remembers.

What he treasures most, though, is the Dragon community he built. “Looking back, I didn’t even realize how special it was, to have such a diverse group of classmates, friends, and teammates,” he says. “I formed very deep bonds, and I’m really close with my O’Dowd friends today.”

After graduating from O’Dowd, Jevon committed to playing football at the University of Oregon, where he also earned a B.A. in Ethnic Studies. In 2021, he was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the NFL draft. He quickly became one of the league’s top-rated safeties and the youngest two-time team captain in Dolphins history. Today, he plays for the New York Giants while preparing to pursue a master’s degree in cinema from NYU.

Despite his rising profile, Jevon remains deeply connected to his roots. This summer, he will return to support the third annual “Bay Area’s Finest” Football Camp at O’Dowd, a free opportunity for young players across Oakland and the East Bay. Founded and hosted by fellow O’Dowd alumni Alijah Vera-Tucker ’17 (NY Jets), it's an opportunity for young players to learn directly from NFL professionals - including fellow O’Dowd alumni Milo Eifler ’16 (Arizona Cardinals) and Terique Owens ’18 (SF 49ers). “It’s important to come back to O’Dowd and to Oakland and support the next generation,” Jevon says. “I want to inspire kids to keep chasing their dreams.”

Beyond mentorship, Jevon is also helping students in a more immediate way - through his generous support of the Debbie and Gary Mason Angel Fund, which ensures that no student misses out on essential parts of school life due to financial hardship. “I want to make sure that every student at O’Dowd, no matter their family income, can participate 100% in everything the school has to offer,” Jevon says. “This is a great school that sets students up for success. I want to strengthen that mission through my resources and my platform.”

Jevon Holland ’18 exemplifies the spirit of Cor Unum through his leadership, generosity, and unshakable pride in the O’Dowd community. His commitment to lifting others - on the field, in the classroom, and through financial support - reflects the very best of what it means to be “One Heart in Christ.” With the Cor Unum Award, we honor Jevon’s enduring impact on O’Dowd and his inspiring dedication to building a more just, joyful, and sustainable world for future generations.