GatorBait.net - Hines hopes to play against Vols

September 14, 2009

Adam Gorney
GatorBait.net Assistant Editor

When Omarius Hines was eight years old his mother asked him where he wanted to play college football. He hadn't remembered his answer until his mom reminded him during the recruiting process that he said he wanted to play for the Florida Gators.

"I've been liking Florida since I was eight years old," Hines said Sunday after practice. "I've been watching Florida a little bit and then I stopped watching football for a little while.

"My mom told me during recruiting season when I was eight years old she asked me a question like, 'Where do you want to go play football?' I totally forgot, I don't remember saying it but she said I said I wanted to be a Florida Gator. It's kind of like a dream come true. I'm destined to be here. God wanted me to be here so I'm here.

"There were a lot of people that wanted me to stay close to home but Florida is where I wanted to be so that's why I'm here."

It was not an easy transition for the four-star wide receiver from Corsicana, Texas. Hines injured both thighs lifting too much weight on the leg press this off-season and missed a couple months.

He said both thighs were sprained and that it felt like a really tight muscle. Walking was difficult and playing was out of the question. That was the most aggravating part, sitting on the sidelines not being able to help his teammates.

"It was really hard because I hated just sitting and watching practice knowing I could be out there helping my teammates, making my team better so it was real hard being out there just sitting and watching," Hines said. "I wanted to be out there and practice.

"It feels real good right now. I'm still not 100 percent but I'm getting a lot better with the treatment and I'm learning the offense a lot better."

Hines has been Florida's biggest surprise after two blowout victories. He has seven catches for 98 yards, mainly in mop-up time but still more in both categories than David Nelson, Brandon James, Deonte Thompson and Frankie Hammond.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez has one more catch than him. Wide receiver Riley Cooper leads the team with 10 catches for 187 yards.

"He had some injuries to his legs and he couldn't participate in the spring and then he kept having them off and on in the fall but he started really coming on here as of late and everybody is starting to see the talent that he has plus he's a good guy so he's not in that rotation yet but he's getting really close," coach Urban Meyer said.

The thing about Hines is he looks invincible. He's 6 feet and 216 pounds of rock-hard muscle. His biceps look like bowling balls. His shoulders are massive. His neck muscles bulge out and misshape his tank top. Hines could easily be confused for a linebacker or a young Cornelius Ingram.

As far as Saturday's matchup against Tennessee, Hines hopes he gets in the game. It's nice to play when the Gators are blowing out Charleston Southern and Troy but playing in a rivalry game against the Volunteers would be huge.

Meyer said Hines is not in the rotation yet but he's quickly becoming that fifth receiver Florida needs - and it's been a surprise. Who would have thought Hines would be doing so well?

Leading up to Charleston Southern, he wasn't in the game plan but a solid week of practice earned him playing time. Another good week before Troy got him on the field again. Keeping it up this week could mean we'll see Hines in an SEC game. He cannot wait.

"It's going to be a big atmosphere," Hines said. "This is going to be my first rivalry game in college football. I know how the coaches feel about it so it's going to be a really big game. They know it's a big game, so we're going to prepare hard Tuesday and Wednesday. We have to go all out."

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