USC sophomore receiver Tanook Hines recently returned to the practice field during the Trojans' Mock Game week after missing the entire spring and the start of fall camp with an injury.
It's a major boost to a receiver room that is fairly young outside of Hines and NC State transfer Terrell Anderson, who also returned to practice last week after getting banged up in camp.
Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines (16) runs with the ball during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
When the media got an up-close look at Hines on the field last week, there was a noticeable change in his physical appearance. The Trojans receiver had put on some muscle.
Hines is just the latest player to show the benefits of strength coach Trumain Carroll's workouts as USC has a new look to them heading into their third season in the Big Ten.
Despite not enrolling until the summer, Hines beat out several veterans and earned a starting role as true freshman coming out of fall camp last season. The former four-star recruit in the 2025 class showed flashes early in the season and his efforts as a blocker stood out.
His confidence continued to grow the more accustomed to the college game he became. Hines emerged as another reliable target quarterback Jayden Maiava and it all came together in a late November matchup against Oregon, where he hauled in six passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Dec 30, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines (16) gestures after a reception against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In the Alamo Bowl, Hines stepped into the WR1 role with Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane opting out. He responded by catching six passes for 163 yards. Hines finished third on the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2025. The former track star finished first among Big Ten freshman in yards per catch.
Hines is just the latest product in an impressive lineage under receivers coach Dennis Simmons, who has produced All-Americans, Biletnikoff Award winners and first round picks for almost two decades.
USC wide receiver Tanook Hines hauls in a touchdown pass under cover from Oregon defensive back Aaron Flowers as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Hines is only headed into his second season but he is the receiver with the most experience in the Trojans offense. Even when he wasn't practicing, Hines stepped up to fill the leadership void left by Lemon and Lane.
Anderson was able to lean on Hines in the offseason to learn the Trojans offense.
"Tanook helped me a lot, we study plays," Anderson said. "If I don't know something, I call him and ask him. Make sure I'm got my splits right, running the right stuff, blocking the right man. We help each other a lot, we never try to hold secrets from each other."
Hines leads a new-look receiver room that features an impressive array of freshmen receivers - Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Trent Mosley, Boobie Feaster and Tron Baker.
Sophomore Corey Simms has put together a good fall camp and is set to be featured in the receiver rotation after playing just 22 offensive snaps in 2025. Zacharyus Williams also returns after being limited to five games last season.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/usc as USC Receiver Tanook Hines Shows Off Body Transformation Ahead of Sophomore Season .
