Fall Camp Q&A: Anthony Hines III

Anthony Hines III is back for his sophomore season after a redshirt year in 2018. Hines made the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2017 after recording 33 tackles and three sacks for the Aggies.

12th Man Productions' Will Johnson recently caught up with the linebacker to look ahead to the upcoming 2019 campaign. 
 

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WJ: Getting back on the field after sitting out last year, when you go back to 2018 just how frustrating is it for a competitor to watch and not play?
 
AH: Like you said just growing up being a competitor it's really tough to see your brothers out there grinding without you. You want to see them succeed but at the same time you can't wait to get back out there and help them and do your part. So it was really, really tough. 
 
WJ: At the same time, you get to see the first year of this Mike Elko defense in a different perspective. You're not seeing it first hand but you get a look at it on film and from the sidelines. What did you learn about this defense and how good it can be?
 
AH: Just really looking at the ins and outs from the side helps put in perspective how good this defense can be., seeing how the parts fit, seeing how conceptual it is, and seeing how if everyone does their job we can really be a top defense in the country.
 
WJ: Now that you're back out there ready to go again, what's the August focus for you as an individual at that linebacker spot?
 
AH: Catching up on all those reps I missed. I was taking mental reps but it's nothing like being out there, those actual reps. I'm just catching up on those and getting up to par.
 
WJ: There's a lot of pretty good sizable bodies in front of you across the defensive front. What does that do for you for linebacking corps?
 
AH: That's really good. As linebackers, we like to stay clean so we can scrape sideline to sideline. We've got some big guys, Bobby (Brown) and (Justin) Madubuike. On the edge we've got Tyree (Wilson) and Micheal (Clemons). We're pretty solid up there.
 
WJ: Take me through the linebacker depth as we get ready for this first game...
 
AH: We're getting the opportunity to let all the guys roll in. It's really good having that depth. You know, we had a lot of freshmen come in, they're coming in and picking it up really fast. Me and Buddy (Johnson) are taking a leadership role and that's been really good. Just really getting things squared away.
 
WJ: What does Buddy mean to you, right there next to you?
 
AH: We came in together in the same class. We're brothers. We're able to lead the room side by side. He's a good competitor. We compete with each other as well.
 
WJ: Final question...best hair on the team. That belong to you?
 
AH: Yes sir. By far.