Ohio three-star linebacker Jermale Hines (6-2, 200, 4.7), from Glenville High School in Cleveland (Ohio), slightly favors Michigan and Iowa over West Virginia, Ohio State and Purdue. All have offered except Ohio State.
"Iowa is recruiting me the hardest." Hines said. “My official visit to Iowa is December 1. I keep in contact with Coach Kirk Ferentz. A few times a week, we text message each other. He says that I’m very much needed. That’s very important to me. I want the opportunity to play as soon as possible.
“Hawkeyes Derrick Smith (defensive back) and Arvell Nelson (quarterback), are good friends of mine. They have great things to say about Iowa. They love the team’s unity and have a great amount of respect for the coaches--all of the coaches,” Hines said. “My conversations with Smith and Nelson are the reason why Iowa is one of my top picks.
"My official visit to Michigan is December 8. Three senior linebackers are leaving the Wolverines this year. Coach Scot Loeffler (quarterbacks) says the same thing as the Hawkeye coaches--that I’m needed. Michigan leads over Iowa because they have seniors leaving. I have a little more faith that I’ll play at Michigan,” he said.
"NFL player (Pierre) Woods (linebacker) of the New England Patriots is a friend of mine. He played for Michigan and loves the school. Woods is who I want to be. If I can follow in his footsteps, then I will. I can’t go wrong playing for the Wolverines.
“I’ve liked West Virginia since I was a little kid,” Hines said. “Coach Rich Rodriguez has made some contact with me, but not enough to make me think I’m needed to play for the Mountaineers.
"Ohio State linebacker Coach Luke Fickell said he’d love to have me play for the Buckeyes. But he says I need to retake the ACT. My current test score (14) is why I don’t have an offer from Ohio State. I am retaking the test in December,” Hines said.
“My high school produced about 12 players that currently play for Big Ten teams. I won (offensive player) MVP for the state of Ohio. I feel that’s pretty impressive. My coaches have pushed me to be quick and tough. I would still like to work on fighting off blocks.”
Final senior stats: 800 yds rushing/16 TDs; 904 yds passing; defensive stats unreported.
Hines reports a 2.9 core GPA and a 14 ACT--December 9 retake.