'08 NJ DT Hafis Williams (Signed LOI to ND) - Page 7 - Notre Dame Football Discussion

**littlerick77** · 05-03-2007, 01:06 AM

Beautiful!! I was totally not expecting this since it's been pretty quiet on the recruiting trail lately but this is awesome news!!!!

Welcome aboard Hafis..........

IrishCalves · 05-03-2007, 01:16 AM

Getting a 2nd end allows us to be a little more patient with other DE's, like Kapron Lewis-Moore, and Ethan Johnson.

**stonebreakerwasgod** · 05-03-2007, 01:58 AM

Hafis al Tikrit? Call Homeland Security!!

**goirish#1** · 05-03-2007, 08:23 AM

This guy is a beast and looks like a good player.

**scooper** · 05-03-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUETHUNDER

This is huge. Like many of you already said I like Hafis a ton more at DE then NT. You would think that a NT would be like 330 not 270 like Hafis who is a good size for a 3-4 DE. Keep the pace Charlie and CB.

Keep in mind, these are guys going into their senior year of HS. I'm quite alright if they are not 330 pounds.

johnnd05 · 05-03-2007, 09:22 AM

From the SBTrib (link):

Defensive standout commits to ND

BOB WIENEKE
Tribune Staff Writer

Elizabeth (N.J.) High School football coach Chet Parlavecchio could have talked about the number of scholarship offers defensive lineman Hafis Williams has received. He could have boasted about how Williams plays both offensive and defensive line. Or he could have played up the impact Williams has had on the program.

Parlavecchio mentioned all those things, but there was one other trait that really jumped out.

"His strength is his engine," Parlavecchio said. "He's got a great engine."

And it sounds like Notre Dame just got a great player. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman verbally committed to the Irish on Wednesday.

Williams is the 11th player to commit to Notre Dame's recruiting class of 2008. He also is the fifth defensive player, joining end Sean Cwynar, and linebackers Anthony McDonald, David Posluszny and Darius Fleming.

NCAA recruiting rules prohibit Irish coach Charlie Weis from publicly commenting on a recruit until the player has signed a national letter-of-intent. Signing day is Feb. 6.

Williams, who visited unofficially for the April 21 Blue-Gold Game, registered 106 tackles and six sacks as a junior, according to recruiting Web site Rivals.com. Williams is ranked as one of the top 100 players nationally by CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, and Lemming ranks him as a five-star recruit, his highest ranking.

"He's got a motor that's always going," said Lemming, who ranks Williams as the best defensive lineman in New Jersey. "I like him because Notre Dame is desperate for defensive line-types."

Parlavecchio believes that Williams could beef up to 300 pounds and that he'll play inside in ND's revamped 3-4 defense. Lemming also believes that Williams will end up inside, although he can't rule out defensive end.

"You can't pigeon-hole him into one spot," Lemming said.

The Irish also are involved with three other Garden State standouts -- offensive lineman Art Forst of Manasquan, wide receiver/safety Will Hill of Jersey City and linebacker Brandon Beal of Succasunna, according to Lemming.

Weis, a New Jersey native, enjoyed recruiting success in his home state last year. He signed receiver Duval Kamara and tight end Mike Ragone, two of the state's top players. Another Jersey player, defensive end Justin Trattou, committed to ND early in the process before switching to Florida.

Parlavecchio has known Weis for years through a mutual friend.

"Charlie is a New Jersey guy and we go way back, before he became what he became," Parlavecchio said. "I know he'll take care of (Hafis)."

Lemming said Williams also had been involved with Rutgers, Florida, Penn State and Michigan.

"He's raised the bar at our school," Parlavecchio said. "I think his best days are still ahead."

Interesting that both Lemming and his coach think he's going to play inside; what's the source for everyone around here saying he's going to be a DE?

**irishunclebill** · 05-03-2007, 09:41 AM

First of all, this is great news. This kid has shown more love for ND than just about any recruit this year, so besides being a very talented addition to the defense, he will also be a very enthusiastic supporter of ND and Notre Dame football, which will only help the recruiting process even more this year. Also, for anybody who missed his Power Hour interview with Mike Frank, you should go back and listen to it, I'll try to find the link again. Hafis is a real character who will add much to the ND locker room.

Now to add to the confusion of his position, Hafis is quoted as saying he will work at DT or NG at ND, which as we all know in the 3-4 is the same position, but he also said that he would primarily be at DT. Confused?, me too. The new ND defense will most likely be a hybrid 3-4 which will align differently according to formations and game situations, but it appears that no matter what the formation, at least initially, they are looking at Hafis as an interior guy, not an end. In reality, it is probably way too early to peg him anyway, because he physically seems to be capable of playing any position on the DL, and CW and CB have to be thrilled, as we all are, to grab another great kid from Jersey with great defensive talent.

05-03-2007, 09:22 AM	#48 (permalink)
johnnd05 Johnny T. works for me Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Berkeley, Calif. Posts: 4,629 Cash: 20,226.47 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 20,226.47 Donate	From the SBTrib (link): Defensive standout commits to ND BOB WIENEKE Tribune Staff Writer Elizabeth (N.J.) High School football coach Chet Parlavecchio could have talked about the number of scholarship offers defensive lineman Hafis Williams has received. He could have boasted about how Williams plays both offensive and defensive line. Or he could have played up the impact Williams has had on the program. Parlavecchio mentioned all those things, but there was one other trait that really jumped out. "His strength is his engine," Parlavecchio said. "He's got a great engine." And it sounds like Notre Dame just got a great player. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman verbally committed to the Irish on Wednesday. Williams is the 11th player to commit to Notre Dame's recruiting class of 2008. He also is the fifth defensive player, joining end Sean Cwynar, and linebackers Anthony McDonald, David Posluszny and Darius Fleming. NCAA recruiting rules prohibit Irish coach Charlie Weis from publicly commenting on a recruit until the player has signed a national letter-of-intent. Signing day is Feb. 6. Williams, who visited unofficially for the April 21 Blue-Gold Game, registered 106 tackles and six sacks as a junior, according to recruiting Web site Rivals.com. Williams is ranked as one of the top 100 players nationally by CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, and Lemming ranks him as a five-star recruit, his highest ranking. "He's got a motor that's always going," said Lemming, who ranks Williams as the best defensive lineman in New Jersey. "I like him because Notre Dame is desperate for defensive line-types." Parlavecchio believes that Williams could beef up to 300 pounds and that he'll play inside in ND's revamped 3-4 defense. Lemming also believes that Williams will end up inside, although he can't rule out defensive end. "You can't pigeon-hole him into one spot," Lemming said. The Irish also are involved with three other Garden State standouts -- offensive lineman Art Forst of Manasquan, wide receiver/safety Will Hill of Jersey City and linebacker Brandon Beal of Succasunna, according to Lemming. Weis, a New Jersey native, enjoyed recruiting success in his home state last year. He signed receiver Duval Kamara and tight end Mike Ragone, two of the state's top players. Another Jersey player, defensive end Justin Trattou, committed to ND early in the process before switching to Florida. Parlavecchio has known Weis for years through a mutual friend. "Charlie is a New Jersey guy and we go way back, before he became what he became," Parlavecchio said. "I know he'll take care of (Hafis)." Lemming said Williams also had been involved with Rutgers, Florida, Penn State and Michigan. "He's raised the bar at our school," Parlavecchio said. "I think his best days are still ahead." Interesting that both Lemming and his coach think he's going to play inside; what's the source for everyone around here saying he's going to be a DE? __________________ Stoney is a dead man.

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05-03-2007, 01:06 AM	#43 (permalink)
littlerick77 Walk-On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 178 Cash: 10,321.15 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 10,321.15 Donate	Beautiful!! I was totally not expecting this since it's been pretty quiet on the recruiting trail lately but this is awesome news!!!! Welcome aboard Hafis..........

05-03-2007, 01:16 AM	#44 (permalink)
IrishCalves IE's Blocking Sled Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 360 Cash: 1,022.73 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 1,022.73 Donate	Getting a 2nd end allows us to be a little more patient with other DE's, like Kapron Lewis-Moore, and Ethan Johnson.

05-03-2007, 01:58 AM	#45 (permalink)
stonebreakerwasgod This is how I chill Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 230 miles from Nirvana Posts: 7,154 Cash: 26,426.35 Bank: 65,165.37 Total Bankroll: 91,591.72 Donate	Hafis al Tikrit? Call Homeland Security!!

05-03-2007, 08:23 AM	#46 (permalink)
goirish#1 Blue Chip Recruit Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 289 Cash: 2,158.93 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 2,158.93 Donate	This guy is a beast and looks like a good player.

05-03-2007, 09:41 AM	#49 (permalink)
irishunclebill Junior Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,652 Cash: 14,567.75 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 14,567.75 Donate	First of all, this is great news. This kid has shown more love for ND than just about any recruit this year, so besides being a very talented addition to the defense, he will also be a very enthusiastic supporter of ND and Notre Dame football, which will only help the recruiting process even more this year. Also, for anybody who missed his Power Hour interview with Mike Frank, you should go back and listen to it, I'll try to find the link again. Hafis is a real character who will add much to the ND locker room. Now to add to the confusion of his position, Hafis is quoted as saying he will work at DT or NG at ND, which as we all know in the 3-4 is the same position, but he also said that he would primarily be at DT. Confused?, me too. The new ND defense will most likely be a hybrid 3-4 which will align differently according to formations and game situations, but it appears that no matter what the formation, at least initially, they are looking at Hafis as an interior guy, not an end. In reality, it is probably way too early to peg him anyway, because he physically seems to be capable of playing any position on the DL, and CW and CB have to be thrilled, as we all are, to grab another great kid from Jersey with great defensive talent.

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