Commit Q&A: Relationship with John Chavis key to Anthony Hines

Plano East linebacker Anthony Hines III committed to Texas A&M on Friday, December 2, 2016 at a ceremony at Plano East High School. Hines was one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the country with over 90 scholarship offers, and he chose the Aggies over other finalists UCLA, TCU, Penn State, Ohio State and Florida. Defensive coordinator John Chavis was the Aggies’ lead recruiter.

He finished his senior season with 245 tackles, 38 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 INTs, a fumble recovery and 5 forced fumbles on his way to USA Today All-USA first team all-defense, USA Today All-USA Texas Defensive Player of the Year and Texas 6A Defensive Player of the Year honors. He capped off his senior season by playing in the Under Armour All-American game. He will enroll early at Texas A&M, and is already on campus.

Where did you feel like you improved the most this fall?

"My ability to take over and dominate games improved most as I was more productive and made key plays to swing the momentum in key plays."

When you look back on your high school days what are the memories that stand out to you?

"My best memory would definitely be going through the adversity of a 1-9 season and turning it around with my brothers and going to the playoffs for back-to-back seasons."

Who pushed you the most to improve on the field?

"Really the person who pushed me the most would definitely be my position coach, Coach Farrar. He allowed my game to go to a whole new level. He’s a guy who believes in trusting instincts and just playing sideline to sideline. Him coaching me and the system he instilled – it allowed me to do that."

Who are the football players you idolized growing up?

"It would definitely be Patrick Willis. That was my guy. Just the combination of size and speed. He was big but he could move, and he was a guy that played sideline-to-sideline but could also drop back into coverage. He was really just an all-purpose backer, and in his day he was 'The Guy.' He was the best."

Who are the guys you enjoy watching play now?

"Definitely Luke Kuechly, Sean Lee – I still enjoy watching Thomas Davis, Navorro Bowman, James Harrison (and Ryan) Shazier. There’s a bunch now, especially the Eric Kendricks. There’s a bunch out there now. It’s a really good age for linebackers."

What is your first Texas A&M memory?

"My first time…I’m trying to think. I do remember in elementary school – I used to go to this elementary school in Allen – like every kid had a Texas A&M shirt. I just remember I was always like, “What’s an Aggie?” As a grew up, I figured out what it was. So I just remember there are Aggies everywhere. Every little kid had one of those back in elementary school, one of those shirts."

What was it about Texas A&M that separated it from the rest during recruiting?

"Of course, they have a really good business school, and that’s what I want to major in. Not only that, but I had a really good relationship with the coaching staff, the SEC and Coach Chavis. Coach Chavis was really the difference. I had a really good relationship with him that I had been building since before he was even at Texas A&M. So I mean that ended up being the difference."

Was there a moment where you just knew what your decision was going to be?

"Yeah, it definitely came down to that day, and I had to think back and the deciding factor was what coaching staff I trust the most. That was the deciding factor."

What are you looking forward to the most about your future in College Station?

"I just want to make a name for myself and do well and leave a legacy here. I definitely want a national championship. We have a big class going, and that’s why we’re all here."

What would you like to say to everyone at Texas A&M?

"It’s coming. That’s all I have to say. The good days are coming. We’re about to go in, and we’re going to get this thing right and we’re going to win."