When asked the most important thing he had learned after playing in No. 20 USC’s first seven games, true freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines answered simply: “Stay humble, no matter what.”

“Stay down every play. Go hard,” Hines said after practice Oct. 28. “Don’t ever let up on nobody.”

In that mentality, Hines is similar to superstar junior wide receiver Makai Lemon, who is known for his humility in news conferences and work ethic almost as much as his Big Ten second-best 776 yards this season. But, according to Lemon, the two Trojan receivers have more than that in common, as he said he “definitely” sees similarities between his freshman self and Hines.

“​​He got that dawg mentality for sure,” Lemon said in a post-practice news conference Oct. 28. “When the ball [is] in the air, you know it’s his. I feel like we can both relate on that.”

When someone who ranks second in the Big Ten in receiving yards with 776 and third in receptions with 50 — along with a team-high six receiving touchdowns — compares himself to you as a freshman, it says a lot — and Hines said he wants to continue to soak all of Lemon’s experience up.

“Makai, I damn near talk to him every day about the little stuff, trying to pick his brain for real,” Hines said. “He a great. [I’m] trying to be great.”

Hines feels ‘fully grounded’

Though he has had to slowly grind for playtime, Hines has already established himself as a significant part of USC’s offense, catching at least one pass in each of the Trojans’ first eight games of the season, including multiple big plays for more than 20 yards, for a combined 211. Both Lemon and fellow junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane said Hines’ quick adjustment to college football has been impressive. 

“Going from high school to college, it’s a big step,” Lemon said. “I feel like he’s doing a great job of that, and I can’t wait to see what he got for the rest of the season.”

With both Lemon and Lane being high-profile stars, Hines said he often sees one-on-one coverage, which he likened to “backyard football.” Though after practice Tuesday, he warned future opponents against underestimating him.

“That’s disrespectful,” Hines said of the consistent one-on-one coverage he has faced. “I can really ball, too.”

Hines said that he is feeling “fully grounded” and adjusted to the program and college life but said starting USC practices as a freshman over the summer felt like playing catch-up. He said that it took “long nights” and “early mornings” to learn Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s playbook.

“For a young guy, or for any guy, it’s pretty impressive the way he goes about his business every single day. He’s an all-ball guy. There’s no fluff to this guy,” Riley said of Hines after a Sept. 16 practice. “He’s an edgy, tough competitor, and I think that consistency has helped earn the trust of his teammates and the program up to this point.”

Notre Dame game a highlight for Hines

Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava said he knew Hines was going to make an impact as far back as fall camp after watching his commitment both on and off the field.

“He made a lot of spectacular plays,” Maiava recalled after practice Oct. 28, “which, obviously, gave him a chance to go out there and play … which I’m truly grateful for.”

Hines’ most notable performance thus far came during the Trojans’ 34-24 loss to now-No. 10 Notre Dame in tough, rainy conditions in South Bend, Indiana. During the game, Hines hauled in five passes for 67 yards, both season-high marks.

“He made some big plays for a young guy in a big environment and obviously challenging conditions,” Riley said of Hines after the game. “We’ve got a lot of confidence in him.”

On top of the longstanding rivalry between the two programs, the performance was extra personal for Hines, who said he recognized many Notre Dame coaches from his recruiting process.

“It’s really ‘Fight On’ forever,” Hines said Tuesday. “I’m just out there playing for my team, sort of playing with a chip on my shoulder.”

‘I love when people react’

Before becoming a receiver, Hines played all over the field, including cornerback, quarterback, running back and linebacker, continuing to play on both sides of the ball through high school. Hines also competed in short-distance track in high school, where he ran an impressive 20.71 200-meter dash to win multiple regional awards.

Hines said he doesn’t miss any of his old positions, though he said having experience at both the position throwing to him and covering him helps him better understand what they are thinking and adjust based on that.

“I just let God take over, and I ended up at receiver,” Hines said.

While he is known for his impressive contested catches, Hines’ only collegiate touchdown thus far came on a beautiful route to the right corner of the end zone that got him wide open for a 7-yard grab during a 45-31 win over Michigan State in week four. After the game, Hines described catching his first college touchdown as “unreal.”

Hines’ touchdown came amid an injury to Lane that saw him miss the entire game. When asked after the game about his response to getting increased playtime due to the injury, Hines referenced the strong community in the wide receiver room, which he has credited for his ability to adjust to USC so quickly: “Knowing that my brother [is] out, man, it’s time for me to step up.”

Though Hines said he isn’t surprised by the catches he is able to make since he made similar plays in high school as well as practice, he said playing in front of a large USC crowd and hearing their reactions makes the plays even more special. After his first touchdown, Hines celebrated by raising his hands toward the fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

“That’s a blessing, man. I love when people react,” Hines said Oct. 28. “That’s love.”