Nyheim Hines

... The NFL prizes versatility and few offer more of that than Hines, who starred just about everywhere the Wolfpack asked him to play, including running back, wide receiver, kick returner, punt returner and track star. Perhaps even more than versatility, scouts appreciate explosiveness and production, two qualities Hines demonstrated in 2017 with a breakout campaign in his first full season at running back. Hines starred at running back in high school - rushing for an eye-popping 3,140 yards and 49 touchdowns in his junior season, alone - but initially made his biggest contribution to the Wolfpack on special teams. He set the freshman record at NC State and earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors with an average of 26.3 yards on 35 kick returns, including a 100-yard touchdown against Clemson and a 90-yard scamper against Louisville. Hines tallied 1,419 all-purpose yards for the season, the ninth-best mark in school history and the second-best ever by a Pack freshman, with 256 yards and a touchdown coming as a receiver and another 243 yards and a score as a rusher. Hines only rushed the ball 13 times (for 44 yards) as a sophomore but he was again a dangerous weapon a receiver and kick returner, catching a career-high 43 passes for 525 yards and registering 782 yards on 32 attempts returning kickoffs, scoring on the second 100-yard return of his young career in an Independence Bowl win over Vanderbilt. Finally given an opportunity to be the Wolfpack's lead dog at running back in 2017, Hines exploded for 1,113 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing three games due to injuries. He finished the regular season as the conference leader (among qualified runners) with a 5.9 yard average while contributing another 26 receptions for 152 yards as a receiver. Hines' production in the kick return game slipped slightly, averaging "just" 22.3 yards on 21 returns and failing to score but delivered in his first opportunities as a punt returner, taking one back 92 yards for a touchdown against Pittsburgh. Even more impressive, the return came just moments after Hines sprinted for an 83 yard touchdown as a running back the last time he touched the ball. BACKGROUND Competed with the Wolfpack track squad, where he won All-American honors as the leadoff leg for the 4x100m relay squad (outdoors) that also won the ACC title in 2016. Also earned All-ACC honors in the 100m (outdoors) and the 60m (indoors). Signed with NC State as the No. 133 rated player nationally regardless of position, No. 3 all-purpose back nationally, No. 4 player in N.C. by Scout.com, No. 94 player and No. 24 RB nationally, No. 4 player in N.C. by Rivals.com, No. 155 nationally in the ESPN 300. ESPN also ranked him No. 16 RB nationally and No. 5 player in N.C... Staggering production in high school, including 7,299 all-purpose yards and 126 touchdowns. Has a twin sister, Nyah, who is a hurdler on NC State's Track and Field team.

in our view

Hines may prove more of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type in the NFL than the superstar he proved during his flashy prep and collegiate career in the state of North Carolina but, make no mistake, every team in the league is looking for athletes with his elusiveness and top-end speed. At minimum, Hines is a big play threat every time he touches the ball with the positional versatility to save a roster spot with it entirely possible that he'll achieve much more with a creative play-caller.

strengths

Short but is not small, possessing a compact, athletic frame with a naturally low center of gravity and very good overall weight distribution. Far from just a track star in pads, Hines is a true three-tier speedster on the football field, boasting excellent initial quickness, smooth acceleration and the long speed to pull away from defenders in the open field. As a running back and returner, Hines attacks the hole, showing the burst to and through it to leave defenders in his dust, as well as the vision to take advantage of his blockers. Hines possesses very good agility to make defenders miss in tight quarters, including a compact spin move (or two, see Louisville-2017), exhibiting impressive body control and spatial awareness to maintain his balance on one foot while eluding defenders. He shows reliable hands as a receiver, extending away from his frame and quickly securing the ball. More physical than his size would suggest, showing good balance and toughness to bounce off hits and no hesitation in running through traffic. Described by head coach Dave Doeren as the "most competitive player on the field." -- Rob Rang 1/13/2018

compares to

Darren Sproles, Eagles - This may not be a fair comparison to either Hines nor Sproles as the former is significantly taller (but thus far less durability) than the 5-6, 190 pound 13-year NFL veteran. Still, the elusiveness, acceleration and versatility which has helped Sproles be one of the league's "biggest" matchup nightmares over the past decade and a half should help Hines earn at least the late 4th round selection by then-San Diego Chargers his playmaking predecessor received out of Kansas State back in 2005.

weaknesses

Does not possess an ideal frame to log 20+ carries a game. Missed three games due to injury in 2017 after registering just 61 rushing attempts over his first two seasons on campus. Short limbs, leaving him literally short-handed when it comes to reaching back to catch passes while covered. Possesses the quickness to get open as a receiver but lacks polish and consistency as a route-runner. Competitive but simply over-matched in pass protection, signaling to the defense that he may be the target if lined up in the backfield on obvious passing downs... One fumble on tape after sustaining a big hit, which knocked him out of the game (Wake Forest-2017). - Rob Rang 1/13/2018

Played running back at local Garner High School for coach Thurman Leach. Helped lead his team to a 13-2 record and the NC 4AA state championship semifinals

Career Stats: 6,242 rushing yards, 7,299 total yards, 126 touchdowns - all school record

Senior Stats: Rushed for 2,362 yards and 38 touchdowns. Tallied 318 receiving yards and three more scores. Junior Stats: Rushed for 3,140 yards and 49 touchdowns. That yardage total broke the Wake County record. Also had 600 yards and nine receiving touchdowns

Sophomore Stats: Tallied 52 tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back, 95 rushes for 750 yards and 14 touchdowns, 21 receptions for 304 yards and four more scores on offense. Also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns

Honors: Named to the AP all-state team. Played in the Semper Fidelis All-American game in Cal. Named academic all-conference all four years

Track: Second in the 4-A state finals of both the 100-meters and the 300-meter hurdles

Rankings: No. 133 player nationally regardless of position, No. 3 all-purpose back nationally, No. 4 player in N.C. by scout.com. No. 94 player and No. 24 RB nationally, No. 4 player in N.C. by rivals.com. No. 155 nationally in the ESPN 300. ESPN also ranked him No. 16 RB nationally and No. 5 player in N.C.

Twin sister, Nyah, is a hurdler for the Wolfpack track & field squad

Major: Management.