Nyheim Hines Showed He Can Carry the Load

NC State Junior Nyheim Hines has the best game of his short career at running back this past Saturday against Florida St. He posted career highs in carries (24) and rushing yards (94). Hines has been less than a first-down away from crossing the century mark the past two weeks.

On 3rd and 7 with the ability to clinch the Wolfpack victory over the Seminoles, Hines busted it outside and rushed for 15 yards to seal the deal.

Nyheim Hines ices the game for NC State with this run on 3rd down, allowing the Pack to run out the clock pic.twitter.com/scUwZTgfQW

— Pack Pride (@PackPride) September 23, 2017

I had my doubts of whether or not Hines could be a 20+ carries running back in the ACC. I thought he might work best as a 3rd down back that slips out of the backfield into the slots for a reception. I didn’t know if he had the physicality or the size to carry that kind of load.

While he still has room to improve, I’m willing to admit he has proved me wrong. He carried the ball 24 times against one of the toughest defenses he will face all year, and almost rushed for 100 yards. Hines is averaging 4.7 yards per carry thus far in 2017.

He has run extremely hard, showing the ability to bounce off of defenders like a bowling ball.

What gives me even more confidence in Hines going forward is the emotion and passion that he showed at the end of the run in the video above. To succeed at this position and be slightly undersized, it takes more than athletic ability and speed, it takes passion and confidence, and he showed both of those in this play.