'08 NJ DT Hafis Williams (5/2/07 Notre Dame LOI)

[Svoboda]

Defensive tackle
Elizabeth (Elizabeth, NJ)

Links of Interest:
Rivals Profile (http://rivals.yahoo.com/notredame/football/recruiting/player-Hafis-Williams-59471)

Ht: 6-foot-3
Wt: 265 lbs

Links of Interest: None

[Svoboda]

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/HAFISWILLIAMS12_8200.JPG

[untitledproject]

Update.

[ttown2424]

Does anybody have any updated info on Hafis? I haven't heard much about him in awhile. Just wondering if his team has played yet and if so, how he performed?

[IrishKnight1023]

Does anybody have any updated info on Hafis? I haven't heard much about him in awhile. Just wondering if his team has played yet and if so, how he performed?

--Elizabeth HS opens up this weekend.

[ttown2424]

Thanks Knight.

[irishunclebill]

Elizabeth HS successfully opened their defense of last year's state title with a 20-13 victory over the weekend.

[IrishKnight1023]

Elizabeth lost to a good Hudson Catholic school this weekend 14-7. It's on TV now and I'm watching a little bit, but not much. Hafis is definently the biggest dude we've got coming in. Speed wise I'd say he's somewhere between Omar and Newman. For a guy his size to play OT and DT it's going to affect your energy level on defense. I flicked it on at one point and he blew up the running back 5 yards in the backfield and the next play he chased down the scrambling QB for a sack. He isn't the most explosive guy off the ball, but he is strong and holds his ground. Hudson Catholic could not run the ball in his direction because he would just clog up the middle. After watching a little bit (not alot) I'd say he looks more like a noseguard then anything else simply because he's not really a leg driver or explosive off the ball. If he touches you, you go down period though. He doesn't have to worry about size at all. His change of direction is pretty good and his speed is also good enough, but probably wants to work on his acceleration. That could easily be fixed by playing one way and working with a trainer. We got a good one and he was the most feared player on the field at all times. Basically Hudson never ran directly at him yet he still was in on EVERY play no matter where on the field. He has a very good nose for the ball. Anyway that's the first time I've seen him play and basically am the only one here that got to see him haha. He had the respect of the opponet and their coaches so while it's expected it's always a positive.

http://www.gridironnewjersey.com/schoolDetail.aspx?schoolId=74

[stonebreakerwasgod]

We need you Hafis.....stay committed!!

[LA Playa]

There's a thread on Irishenvy about Hafis being seen at Rutgers and hanging out with their recruits. Does anyone have any info. I would hate to lose him.

[Akron Irish]

I can't deal with this crap again. Them NJ boys

[tedwick]

is it funny that i've already forgotten the name of the new jersey d-lineman that decommitted last year and went to florida?

YOU'RE DEAD TO ME, WHOEVER YOU ARE!!!

[stonebreakerwasgod]

JT and the bandit?

[HeavenKnows]

You know they are going to go after Hafis and every other recruit. What do you think is happening with Omar? Florida and every other school is after Omar. This is not going to stop until signing day. And the way ND people whine on the boards like spoiled children during a crucial development year certainly works to these other schools advantage. There is more than just Rutgers after Hafis.

[daytonirish]

I agree with heavenknows. Teams are out there having a field day with our commits. But we have to believe that when they commited to Charlie that they understood what he was asking from them and they will stand by those commitments.

[rktgoirish]

Lord let's don't start getting into this kinda crap My fricken heart cant' take it

[irishziggy]

hafis isnt going anywhere, im sure he has friends who are rutgers commits and rutgers is a short ride for the game. he's honored to be going to ND and it was a family decision. Hafis will be at ND next year.

[JMR8]

Peeps need to back off my boy Omar. Homeboy be ND's!!

Thats my angry ghetto talk for ya.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

LOL Omar is one that we really need.

Course, at this point, they may all be playing significantly next year. J/k

[IrishKnight1023]

LOL Omar is one that we really need.

Course, at this point, they may all be playing significantly next year. J/k

--I don't think we can say Omar is the only one we really need. This is a rumor and was started on an ND Rivals message board by someone with no history and nothing to back it up.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

LOL

I did say he is ONE we need, certainly not the ONLY one we need. But I get your drift.



Good update on the situation, IK

[IrishKnight1023]

I don't think we'll lose verbals to be honest. Every recruit seems to know whatsup. I think there are a few GIVENS who I don't see waivering under any circumstances...

Goodman
Cave
Cwynar
Ethan J.
Golic Jr.
Crist
McDonald
Rudolph
McCarthy
Poz.

---Granted there are other ones that I don't think will leave at all, but you never know. I don't think it'll be like last year where we had a meltdown with all the defections. I think we got alot of character guys this year. Besides the rumor before NSD was that Duval was going to decommit and go to Rutgers. Well, that never happend. Hafis never sounded interested in Rutgers from the beginning and he wants to get away from Elizabeth and that bad area and Rutgers isn't that far from it and not the best place ever. RU has several campus' all over NJ including Camden (top 5 most dangerous place to live in NJ) Piscataway (The stadium) and New Brunswick (main campus.) It's a long way to go and I'm really not dealing with this talk already. The type of people who bring this up must have easy lives with no stress so they need something to fill that void. If anyone else is wondering and lives in the NJ/NY area Hafis' game is on MSG right now.

[HeavenKnows]

You can add Omar Hunter to that group. Every major program has been after him and has intensified recruiting him since school has started. He seems to be a true domer.

[JMR8]

i hope so. we need him, he is a beast!

[Jiggafini19]

Hafis Williams is in like flynn.

If you have a Blue and Gold Illustrated subscription, his comments to them say as much.

[MirageSmack]

I posted on Newmans page already, but he is getting the hard sell from UK still. He was at the game, with other recruits, who are also friends. His best friend plays for the cats as well. He was in UK garb ad was cheering for the Cats. Seems innocent to me, but many a cat fan think otherwise. They believe ND already recruited over him (Hunter) and tell him he will never play.

There are no rumors, I'm just reporting some facts.

[irishunclebill]

Hafis Williams latest comments:

1) He is a man of his word.

2) He remains fully commiitted to ND.

3) He believes the future is bright for him & Notre Dame.

Hafis will be taking his Official Visit to Notre Dame for the BC game.

[tedwick]

I posted on Newmans page already, but he is getting the hard sell from UK still. He was at the game, with other recruits, who are also friends. His best friend plays for the cats as well. He was in UK garb ad was cheering for the Cats. Seems innocent to me, but many a cat fan think otherwise. They believe ND already recruited over him (Hunter) and tell him he will never play.

There are no rumors, I'm just reporting some facts.mmm... now why would you want to go to a school that doesn't think you have talent?

[Akron Irish]

Hafis Williams latest comments:

1) He is a man of his word.

2) He remains fully commiitted to ND.

3) He believes the future is bright for him & Notre Dame.

Hafis will be taking his Official Visit to Notre Dame for the BC game.

I love this kid. Finally, INTEGRITY in a 18 yr old!!!

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Some of our players should take note.

[IrishKnight1023]

The first footage of Hafis for all of non New Jersey folk....

http://friday.rivals.com/friday.asp

[tedwick]

The first footage of Hafis for all of non New Jersey folk....

http://friday.rivals.com/friday.asplack of film seems to be what's been keeping his stock down amongst the recruiting sites. not that his stock's going to skyrocket, since he's already committed. but i'm betting he gets a 4th star before the year's over.

by the way, he had 13 tackles in the game they show film of.

[HeavenKnows]

Hafis will be the big surprise of this class. I just wish we had some good film on him for our sake. Charlie knows what he is capable of. But we as fans don't know.

[Spiderman]

Wasn't Hafis Williams suppsoed to make his official to Notre Dame for the BC game? any insight to why he wasn't there?

[marv81s]

Wasn't Hafis Williams suppsoed to make his official to Notre Dame for the BC game? any insight to why he wasn't there?

and as far as what i can tell, he wasn't scheduled to be at ND for the BC game and isn't scheduled for any official visits up here yet

he may be waiting for his football season to come to a close

[robdog_5]

thought I heard he was a possible banquet guy, but not sure

[irishziggy]

agreed, i think they had a scrimmages during nd's first 2 games then elizabeth's season started during week 3, and wont conclude til thanksgiving. if they dont qualify or get knocked out of the playoffs, their season will end in november. then he'll have 1 bye week and the thanksgiving game.

[irishziggy]

i stand corrected. BC week was Hafis' bye week. dk if he was supposed to visit, but he may be waiting for the season to conclude.

[marv81s]

thought I heard he was a possible banquet guy, but not sure

i didn't see his name on there for that date either on blueandgold.com for their master list for visits

[irishunclebill]

Received a visit from Coach Latina today, and will be at the banquet next weekend.

[NDisNCin2010]

interesting...Hafis earns 1st team NJ All State as an Offensive Lineman, and BTW Art Forst didnt make 1st, 2nd or 3rd team All State in NJ...this from the Star Ledger on Hafis:

HAFIS WILLIAMS Elizabeth, 6-3, 280, Senior KEY STATISTICS: Top returning lineman on a very inexperienced team for whom opponents had to game plan on both sides of the ball. Paved the way up front for a team that amassed 2,100 yards on the ground despite an injury-plagued backfield. It didn't seem to matter who was running as long as Williams was blocking. Defensive numbers declined a little due to constant double teams and opponents running away from him.

COLLEGE PLANS: Williams will attend Notre Dame.

[jfschellcrna]

i REALLY like this kid. i think we should expect big things..........

[benneboy]

seems to be the most underrated commit in the class. He was offered very early on so the coaches think a lot of him. Hasn't got a lot of pub due to the lack of film.

[RichardRiot]

I really love the fact that Hafis visited, committed, got back to focussing on his senior HS season, and was done with recruiting. No sideshow involved with young Mr Williams.....

He strikes me as the kind of guy that doesn't need to be stroked weekly about how critical he is to the class. That is fairly common in the recruits the last few years (eg. Jimmy Clausen and his dad last year telling Weis to stop visiting and spend his time recruiting OTHER guys).

[daytonirish]

I agree RR, for the most part the young men Charlie and his staff have brought in, and are bringing in for the most part have been straight up. We have had a few head cases, but every school has them and I'm sure we will have some more in the future. But you gotta love how these last two classes and the one signing this Feb. all seem to get along and want to win multiple NC together.

[JDubbs]

I But you gotta love how these last two classes and the one signing this Feb. all seem to get along and want to win multiple NC together.

That is the amazing part. Each and every recruit Charlie Weis has brought on has had "National Championship" on his lips. I am so excited that is the stated goal. Did you ever REALLY believe "Davingham" when they would say the same things?

Another word out of every one of their mouths is Education. All is right with the world again!!!!

Now for the more "unspoken" factors. '09 will be a big recruiting year. 1. We are going to see more of an impact with 3-9 in this class than in '08 2. With three great classes that could be swayed with the possibility to compete for immediate time, Charlie will not have a plethora of immediate playing time to offer. Hopefully, the combined efforts of Charlie's recruiting and the greatest University in the free world will be enough to win the day.

[NDgrandson]

http://notredame.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=2&c=714940&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fnotredame.scout.com%2f2% 2f714940.html


At his final press conference for the 2007 season, Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis mentioned how close the recruits in the incoming class of 2008 have gotten over the year. One player however, who hadn’t had the opportunity to meet any of his future classmates or form any bonds was Hafis Williams. The Elizabeth, N.J. product changed that the weekend of the season-ending football banquet.
http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/50/500584.jpg
Story from Irisheyes about how Hafis was basically the one recruit not to form bonds with the rest of the recruits until the banquet. It's premium and I don't have access so that's all I got.

[jfschellcrna]

i like the fact that hafis has flown under the radar. no pomp and no accolades. just think, if urban had an inkling of how good this kid may be, he may be camped out in his back yard as we speak. notice, as soon as one of these kids starts getting talked up, the poacher arrives. my point is, ssshhhhhh. don't say a word........................................;););)

[RichardRiot]

i like the fact that hafis has flown under the radar. no pomp and no accolades. just think, if urban had an inkling of how good this kid may be, he may be camped out in his back yard as we speak. notice, as soon as one of these kids starts getting talked up, the poacher arrives. my point is, ssshhhhhh. don't say a word........................................;););)

Maybe we should send Urban Blight chasing after these 6-star recruits; that'll keep him busy. We can get IUB to do a positive write-up......

Actually, come to think of it, somehow I think Urbie already knows all about these guys!!!

[IrishKnight1023]

Hafis is like the biggest mystery recruit that I can remember because there is zero film and he rarely does interviews. Having seen him on TV multiple times because I'm here in NJ I can tell you that he is basically all over the field. He seems like he's in on every play and he has to go both ways. A guy that size is going to get tired going both ways, which he does but the dude is strong and I don't wanna understate how big he really is....guy is huge.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Well said IK, he is the mystery recruit.

[Fishin'_Irish]

Will fax in his LOI around 10 AM tomorrow.

[IrishKnight1023]

NJ in da housssse

[NDgrandson]

And 2 + years later we have a Hafis Williams thread update. So Clelland moved over to D-line because the staff was unsure whether Hafis could get it done with the "four technique." What exactly does that mean? Is that two hands on the ground? Would that be NT? Someone please splain it to me. Either way, I guess HW proved he could and Clelland is back at O-line.

[wicket]

not that difficult, the 4 tech is basicly just another name for the sde in a 3-4 D

[SpanishElite]

not that difficult, the 4 tech is basicly just another name for the sde in a 3-4 D

Exactly Wick.

1 tech is a shade on the center, 3 tech is an outside shade on the OG, 5 tech is an inside shade on the OT, 7 is an outside shade on the OT. So if you have an odd number he is a shade.

An even number is head up. 0 is a NT on the OC. 2 is head up on the OG. 4 is head up on the OT. 6 is head up on the TE.

[Griff Cannon]

And 2 + years later we have a Hafis Williams thread update. So Clelland moved over to D-line because the staff was unsure whether Hafis could get it done with the "four technique." What exactly does that mean? Is that two hands on the ground? Would that be NT? Someone please splain it to me. Either way, I guess HW proved he could and Clelland is back at O-line.

clelland was moved back to OL I believe

[SpanishElite]

clelland was moved back to OL I believe

He was.

[Griff Cannon]

and Hafis sounds hurt today as he is riding the exercise bike at practice with no pads on

[NDisNCin2010]

shout out to Hafis!

just re-watched the USC Game...and not only that game...but this kid i have to say is starting to come into his own on the D line the second half of this year...he does great job of occupying blockers so the LBs can do their thing...plus i love his enthusuiasm out there and the rotation/combo of him and Cwynar is getting the job done...very positive example of BK developing a guy IMHO.

[DublinIrish]

http://vimeo.com/21489823