Starting DB Signs For Second Season
February 17, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
ODESSA, TX. : The Odessa Roughnecks announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 that DB Michael Hinton has been signed for a second season with the Roughnecks. In 2008, Hinton was acquired by Odessa in early June and helped turn around the Roughnecks secondary just before the start of their post-season run. In three regular season games for Odessa, Hinton registered 19 total tackles (9th best on team), 16 solo tackles and two pass breakups. Hinton recorded a regular season high six tackles in a 59-50 win over the Fairbanks Grizzlies back on Saturday, June 21, 2008.
Hinton came on strong during the Roughnecks 2008 playoff run by recording 8. 5 total tackles and one sack in two post-season games. In the Roughnecks playoff win over the Frisco Thunder (67-33) on July 5, 2008, Hinton collected four total tackles including two tackles for loss and a 15 yard kickoff return. Hinton also registered a sack in the Roughnecks loss to the eventual IFL (Intense Football League) Champions, Louisiana Swashbucklers, 59-57 back on July 21, 2008.
Hinton (6'2", 201 lbs.) had an outstanding career at Hugh E. Cummings High School in Burlington, North Carolina. For his career in high school, Hinton recorded 19 interceptions and 24 touchdown receptions at wide receiver. He was named to the All-City, All-Conference, and All-Region teams following his Junior season.
Hinton signed with Virginia Tech following high school but transferred after one year to Ohio University. After two seasons with Ohio University ('05 & '06), Hinton finished his college career at Minnesota State University in 2007. Hinton played seven games for MSU at free safety in '07, registering 42 total tackles, five passes defended, 1.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. After his impressive season with Minnesota State, Hinton landed a spot in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game in January of 2008.
After Hinton's time with Ohio University, Ohio's Director of Football Operations Jason Grooms stated, "NFL scouts were buzzing about Mike Hinton and asking about him." Several NFL teams have shown interest in Hinton including the Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and the Carolina Panthers.
"Mike came in last year for the last five games and really helped us. If you know his story, you know that he was a blue chip prospect coming out of high school before signing with Virginia Tech. You also know that he didn't play much in college due to off the field issues and transfers. Even through all of that, he was good enough to be considered an NFL prospect. That was proven by his performance in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star game last year. Personally, I think that the NFL did not work out because people simply hadn't seen enough of him. This year we have him starting from training camp. If he uses this opportunity the right way, he could be one of the rare guys at this level that finds himself drawing some interest from the NFL." stated Odessa Roughnecks Head Coach, Chris Williams.
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Indoor Football League Stories from February 17, 2009
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- Starting DB Signs For Second Season - West Texas Roughnecks
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