Texas A&M starting linebacker Anthony Hines III announced Sunday that he has elected to opt out of the season.
Hines becomes the fifth player on the Aggies to elect against playing in 2020, joining wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon, backup quarterback James Foster, cornerback Elijah Blades and safety Derrick Tucker.
Hines, a junior, made no mention of leaving to prepare for the NFL draft in his announcement on social media.
“This year has been a wild ride to say the least,” he wrote on Twitter. “With everything taking place in the world right now, from the pandemic, to the blatant injustices being committed towards people of color, it’s difficult to be 100% locked in to the game of football right now.
“I can’t help but see the time as an opportunity to try & make a difference in my community. With that being said, I have chosen to opt out of the 2020 football season.”
Hines recorded 73 tackles last season (10.5 for loss) for Texas A&M, which is scheduled to open the season at home versus Vanderbilt on Saturday.
