"The first time I saw an ocean was when I came (to Hawai'i) on my recruiting trip. I didn't look out the window (of the plane) because I was too scared. It was my first time flying, too. Every little noise I heard, I jumped. Turbulence is crazy." (HA)
About how CBs need to have a short memory, Rich Miano said:
"I always say, playing corner is like playing Russian roulette. You've either been beat or you're going to get beat. That's just a matter of time. After that, you have to have a short memory. You have to play the next down, move on." (HA)
HA Note: "In UH's 34-33 loss to Nevada-Las Vegas, 6-foot-3 wideout Phillip Payne out-jumped 5-9 Hopkins in the corner of the end zone to make the winning catch. The Rebels had run that play three times to Hopkins' side. On the first, Hopkins forced Payne out of bounds. On the second, he tipped away the pass. On the third, Hopkins had blanketed Payne. Miano said Hopkins might have been helped a little ifhe had turned away from Payne to look at the airborne football."
About how looking at the ball in the air might have helped Hopkins, Miano said:
"That would have helped him in terms of jumping and getting up earlier, [but] it was a little bit of a physical mismatch." (HA)
About the game-winning TD pass in the UNLV game, Hopkins said:
"(Payne) just made a good play. I have to get better when it comes to my side. I have to make a play, just like he did. He got the best of me that time. I have to learn from it, and move on." (HA)
About how giving up that TD bothered Hopkins, Rodney Bradley said:
"He was dwelling on it. After a while, you realize you can only do what you can control. He did what he could to make the play. The other dude had the advantage and made the play. That's part of being a corner. You have to bounce back. You can't make every play. That's the thing about Tank. If somebody does make a play on him, he's going to go even harder the next time to make sure it doesn't happen again." (HA)
About how Hopkins received a "minus" grade on only 4 out of 40 plays in the UNLV game, Miano said:
"Unfortunately, the last play was one of them. That's the thing about being a corner. He was this close to being a hero. ... He's getting better in terms of consistency. We're looking for consistently good rather than occasionally great. The main thing is Tank works hard, has good effort, and is a pleasure to be around." (HA)
About having Hopkins as a roomate at Navarro JC and UH, Bradley said:
"Tank is really goofy. He walks around and tries to look serious. But when he gets comfortable with you, he's goofy." (HA)
About how Hopkins is childish, Lametrius Davis said:
"He's the most childish person on the team. Tank, Chizzy (Dimude) and A.G. (Alex Green). They'll take your drink from you and drink it, or they'll take your food and eat it. In the (hotel) room, Tank will take my pillow and throw it. It's always Tank." (HA)
HA Note: "But it's difficult to remain mad at Hopkins, who often flashes a gold-toothed smile. He said it's a family tradition to install a gold cap on a front tooth. His mother, father and two of his brothers have 14-karat caps."
About how he is a competitor, Hopkins said:
"I'm a competitor. I was raised that way. My brothers and sisters competed in whatever we did. Everything I do, no matter if it's playing a game or playing around the house, I'm always competing." (HA)
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