New England Drafts Hinz in 11th Round

For Harvard running back Tony Hinz, a trip to Foxboro this fall just might be a part of his future plans.

Yesterday, in the second day of the National Football League college draft in New York, the New England Patriots selected the Crimson senior in the 11th round.

"Tony Hinz is a big back, a very good blocker and an excellent receiver," said Dick Steinberg, personnel director for the Patriots, "That's the type of player we look for."

Although he was hampered with injuries, Hinz still led the Crimson in rushing for the past two seasons, collecting 1475 yards on 287 carries. In 1987, Hinz earned first-team All-Ivy honors while recording the sixthbest single-season rushing performance by a Harvard runner (789 yards).

Now the native of Great Falls, Mt., will see if Sullivan Stadium will treat him just as well as The Stadium.

"I know the Patriots have some pretty good running backs," Hinz said. "I'll do whatever they'll need me to do."

Steinberg said that the Patriots have watched Hinz play at Harvard and evaluated his skills at the NFL's combine workouts February in Indianapolis.

"You would favor a guy from a higher level of competition, but he is a good football player," Steinberg said.

Hinz will report to mini-camp May 6-12 to learn the Patriots' system and will start training camp in July.

"I don't think anyone who plays college ball every Saturday afternoon thinks that this game will get you into the pros," Hinz said. "It's more a consequence of your performance on the field."

Hinz's most unforgettable performance was in The 1987 Game that gave Harvard the Ivy League title. While the rest of New Haven froze, Hinz ran for 161 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Crimson's 14-10 win over Yale.

"[A pro team] is drafting you because they are probably wanting to use you for some purpose," Hinz said.

The Crimson running back will have a few months to figure out what that purpose is. And maybe on a fall day in Foxboro, Hinz will be wearing a different shade of red.