Hawaii Head Football Coach Timmy Chang Confirmed That Redshirt Sophomore Superstar Will Change Positions

Hawaii Football: RB Tylan Hines Moving To Wide Receiver

On Thursday during the Mountain West Football Media Days, Hawaii head football coach Timmy Chang announced that Tylan Hines, a redshirt sophomore running back, will be transitioning to play as a wide receiver in the upcoming season. Hines, who served as one of Hawaii’s team captains in 2023 during his true sophomore year, played in four games, rushing for 93 yards on 27 carries and making seven catches for 26 yards. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury that caused him to miss the remaining nine games of the season, but he was able to utilize his redshirt.

“He had a dual ankle injury, affecting two different areas. He just wasn’t performing at the same level,” Chang explained, drawing a comparison between Hines’ 2023 season and his impressive breakout in 2022. “We attempted to have him play against Vanderbilt, but he got injured. The same happened when we tried to put him out there against Stanford. We ultimately made the call to redshirt him and focus on his recovery. However, his ability to create opportunities in open space will pose a significant challenge for other teams. His exceptional speed adds a dynamic element… I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing him in action.”

During his true freshman year in 2022, Hines ranked as the second-best freshman nationally in yards per attempt, averaging 7.6 yards per carry, and received an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention.

Hawaii’s season kicks off on August 24 with a home game against Delaware State, an FCS opponent.