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Wake Forest Demon Deacons graduate transfer wide receiver Tabari Hines has a decision timetable in mind after visiting the Oregon Ducks last weekend — Hines will take one last trip to see the USC Trojans before giving his commitment.
The Texas Longhorns target who visited Austin to kickstart his recruitment as a graduate transfer seemingly enjoyed his time in Eugene last weekend:
Blessed To Be Given Another Opportunity To Be Around Some Great People This Past Weekend! @oregonfootball @OregonGridiron @DuckFootball @Oregonian S/o to @coacharroyoTheO @johnnny_yamms @coach_cristobal @CoachMirabal @JKRAUSE_X #FastAndLoud #TakeThePAC #TheDecision pic.twitter.com/RDiDBNsMbF
— Tabari Hines (@TabariHines) April 17, 2018
The situation for Oregon at wide receiver is an interesting one — the coaches are pursuing Hines because there aren’t a lot of proven options, but the team’s leading receiver from last season, Dillon Mitchell, is now the starter in the slot. His back up is a former four-star prospect who caught five passes last season and fits the mold of the ideal slot receiver. So there is potential for playing time, with Mitchell likely to move outside if the Ducks can land Hines, but there is a talented option there playing out of position.
The Horns may have more of a pure need for a slot receiver, as the starter there right now is Jerrod Heard, who has mostly played outside in his two years at the position. His back up, Jordan Pouncey, hasn’t yet played for Texas and doesn’t fit the prototypical slot receiver mold, either. Joshua Moore will get a chance after he arrives during the summer and has talent that translates well to the position, but Hines would be a better bet as an instant contributor.
As for USC, the Trojans lost star Deontay Burnett to the NFL and don’t have much returning talent at the position. Though consensus five-star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will arrive this summer and is one of the top players in the country, Hines would also be the favorite to start in the slot against Texas this fall if he chooses USC.
Similar to the situation with offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, all the schools under consideration by Hines have a need for a slot receiver, though not every program has quite the same level of need.
The Oregon Live writer believes that the Ducks are currently the favorite, but Hines is still considering the Longhorns as he prepares to make his choice.