Highly recruited sophomore linebacker Anthony Hines III was honored when Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema asked him to be a part of the program during Saturday’s visit.
“That was really cool in just knowing I actually have an opportunity to go to a place like that with the awesome facilities and a great football team and a great atmosphere with great fans,” Hines said.
Hines, 6-3, 225, 4.52, from Plano East High School in Texas, has more than 60 scholarship offers, including offers from Arkansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, LSU, Michigan and Notre Dame. Video highlights CLICK HERE
He’s being pursued by area recruiter and running backs coach Jemal Singleton, who watched Plano East’s practice on Thursday. Linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves recruited him while at Houston and is also involved in trying to lure Hines to Fayetteville.
“Coach Singleton, I’ve been talking to him quite awhile and he’s always been a really high energy guy,” Hines said.
Hines was impressed that he and his father were immediately escorted to Bielema’s office as soon as they walked into the Fred W. Smith complex.
“So that was really cool right off the bat and showing a lot of love,” Hines said. “And shortly after that they drove me over to the field and I met up with coach Hargreaves and that was really cool as well.”
Hines is an excellent student with a 3.6 grade pint average and is already locked in on finance as a major because of the possible job opportunities
“And also if I am fortunate enough to make it to the NFL, I’ll definitely be able to manage all my money,” Hines said.
He was able to see how the Hogs would utilize him.
“I visited with coach Hargreaves about how he saw me fitting in and coach Bielema as well how they saw me fitting in as a Mike or a Will,” Hines said.
The visit was Hines’ second trip to Fayetteville. He received his offer from Bielema during a Jan. 14 visit last year. Picking a school won’t be an easy task for Hines.
“Honestly that’s where the difficulty comes because I don’t think there’s just one right place,” Hines said. “Although there isn't just one right place there’s also a place that fits differently from the others. Although there’s a lot of schools that have everything I’m looking for, I have to find that right fit.”