MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football safety Tyree Vines recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss his time on special teams, what he feels are strengths of the defense and his role on the team, among other things.
Vines, a senior from Mobile, Ala., has been a member of the Jaguar program since the 2015 season. After redshirting his first season due to NCAA transfer rules, Vines has played in 18 games, including each of the first four this season for the Jaguars. This season, Vines has recorded a pair of tackles.
You played your high school ball here locally at Vigor, but began your career at Central [Ohio] State before returning back to your hometown. Talk about leaving Mobile and then how you ended up returning to play at South Alabama.
"Central State was my only offer coming out of high school. When I went there, my great grandmother was diagnosed with cancer; it was hard dealing with that in Ohio because I wanted to be back at home. I decided to transfer back home during my second semester of school so that I could be back closer. She ended up passing away when I got back."
A majority of your time here at South has been on special teams. Talk about your role on that unit?
"I just try to do whatever needs to be done to give us the best chance to win. I just want to make plays when my number's called. If playing on special teams gives us the best chance to win then that's what I want to do."
You also began your time here at South on the scout team. What was that experience like for you and how did it help you transition to the Division I level?
"I feel like it helped me adjust to the speed of the game at the Division I level. You don't want to spend your whole college career on scout team so being on that group made me work harder and get better so that I could eventually get on the field."
How do you feel that you've grown and improved since you arrived here on campus?
"I feel that I've grown as a person tremendously. I had to walk on here and when you do that it's a grind. You go through a lot of adversity and that helps make you a better man; you have to go through difficult situations to help you grow as a person."
What were some areas you wanted to focus on improving during the offseason as you headed into your senior season?
"I would probably say my eyes, when you are able to see things better out on the field, you react to the play faster."
What do you feel are some strengths of the defense?
"I would probably say the best strength is our defensive line; we have a lot of depth at the position. When they get things going, they get the rest of the defense going. If they get off to a slow start then we as a defense kind of get off to a slow start, but if they come out striking we are able to feed off of them. When they make plays, it energizes the rest of the defense."
You came back to Mobile under difficult circumstances, but what is it like playing in front of your hometown?
"It has meant a lot to be able to play in front of my family and friends. Everybody wants their family members to go to college and for them to be able to watch one of their family members play football in college means a lot. It makes you want to play hard for them. Not a lot of people get the opportunity to play college football in front of their home crowd."
Did you set any personal goals for yourself this season?
"I just wanted to contribute a lot in any way that I could. I wanted to try to be a better leader on the team. I'm not really a talkative guy, but I like to try to set an example for others about what to do. If I'm working hard, maybe someone else will see me and in turn maybe that will make them want to work hard."
What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I want to be an athletic counselor. As a college athlete, I've been through a lot of things and I know what they are going to go through. I feel like most people need someone they can talk to and get advice from when they are an athlete going through school. It can be a stressful situation and people do need someone they can talk with so they don't go through it alone."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I really just like to chill. I might play either Madden [football] or [NBA [2K]. I also like hanging with my teammates. I like to laugh and joke around and just get my mind off of football for a minute."
What kind of role do you feel you have on the team?
"I feel like I'm an energizer because I try to bring energy every day. I go hard in whatever I do whether it's working out, drinking water, playing special teams or whatever. Whenever I get my number called playing on defense, I try to make a play to help get the team going."
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"My mom. She's been there with me my whole life."
What other sports did you play in high school or growing up?
"I played soccer and basketball. I was good at soccer."
What position did you play in soccer?
"I was a striker."
Why did you start playing soccer?
"I just mainly played soccer to help me stay in shape for football, but I ended up liking it."
If you could play another sport, what would it be?
"I'd probably say baseball. I never played baseball, but I always wanted to play it. I never got the chance to play it."
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