Senior Spotlight: Tabari Hines

RALEIGH, N.C. - Tabari Hines might not have had the most direct route to donning the Red and White of NC State, but he is here now and contributing to the Wolfpack's offense.

Hines started his collegiate career at ACC rival Wake Forest and racked up 123 catches for 1,496 yards and 13 touchdowns in his three seasons (2015-17) as a Demon Deacon. He decided to transfer for his senior season to Oregon, only to redshirt last season and retain his final season of eligibility.

Another change took place in the spring, as Hines decided the best place to play out his final campaign was at NC State.

"The transition went pretty well," said Hines. "For me, I had to come in and get the hang of the offense as quickly as I could and then to make sure my body is up to par and I'm staying healthy. I had to come in and maximize all the resources that NC state offers pretty quickly.

"It is my final year, so I want to make sure I get all I can out of it. I think this is a great opportunity for myself to be here, I just want to seize this moment."

Hines spent last season 2,885 miles away in Eugene, Ore., but knew a move back East and back into the ACC would benefit him in his final collegiate season.

"I wanted to be back in the ACC, I love ACC football because it fits my style of play the best," said Hines. "I call the ACC a finesse league, and that is the type of game I like to play. It fits my skill set. It turned out to be a great opportunity for me to come back to this conference.

"(Here at NC State) I get the ball in my hands more then I had the chance at my other schools. There are more opportunities for me to get the ball behind the line of scrimmage and be able to play more in space once that happens. I've been able to add another dimension to my game."

Before coming to Raleigh, Hines had a connection to the Wolfpack. He is a cousin of former Wolfpack running back Nyheim Hines, who currently plays on Sundays with the Indianapolis Colts.

"We both took official visit to Wake Forest together," said Hines. "We bonded on that trip and have kept in contact since then. We encourage each other both on and off the field. His game has inspired me, and made me want to get to that next level where he is at now."

Hines has already made his presence felt this season, as he is second on the team with nine catches. In his very first game with the Wolfpack against East Carolina in the season opener, Hines caught four passes for 74 yards, including a 48-yard TD.

"It was an early touchdown, that was the earliest I have scored one in my career," said Hines. "I want to build off of that, and work on other things. It was a good moment, kind of one of my I'm back moments."

Originally from Florence, S.C., Hines is now closer to many of his family and friends that he grew up with. And they now get to see him playing out his final season driving up to Carter-Finley Stadium.

"My family was really excited when I decided to come back East, especially my sister," said Hines. "She is pretty young, so she is always excited to see me and it was tough to be away from that environment.

"It feels good to have that support system to be close, come to my games, and get to experience this last season with them. I love having my supporting cast so close once again."

North Carolina State University Athletics

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