Now, he is a pretty gifted athlete for the position who showcases a real feel in the pass game. Looks natural flaring out of the backfield, plucking the football and creating for himself in the open field.
Has some nimbleness as a runner as well with the power to break a tackle and accelerate into daylight. However, runs too upright inside when asked to carry the football and isn’t nearly as physical as you would expect from a back his size. Possesses the straight-line speed to reach the edge and has the body control and vision to cut against the grain and attack up field but isn’t anything dynamic with the ball in his hands.
Impression: A good athlete for the position who can wear a lot of hats for an NFL offense and definitely create some plays in the pass game. However, he isn’t a real impressive lead guy and isn’t real dynamic when asked to carry the football. Nevertheless, he has the ability to be a nice piece for an offense who can create some mismatches out of the backfield."
Negatives: A bit of a Tweener. Lacks the bulk and physicality teams prefer in a traditional fullback, and the agility and straight-line speed to beat NFL defenses outside as a big running back. Aggressively pops the linebacker in the hole, but too often lunges at the defender and is unable to sustain his blocks for long. Senior season is the only one of his career in which he didn't miss time due to injury, including most of the 2006 season due to a broken left leg."
Positive: Athletic but undersized fullback who has a lot of talent. Displays good vision, football instincts and movement skills. Quickly gets out front of running backs to create space and can adjust to linebackers on the second level. Works to get a pad on defenders and opens up running lanes. Attacks blocking assignments and gives effort. Works runs and shows the ability to quickly get through the hole carrying the ball. Solid receiver and extends to make the reception away from his frame.
Negative: Lacks dominant strength and struggles to finish blocks. Not a powerful runner who can move the pile in short-yardage situations.
Analysis: Havili was very productive at USC the past four seasons and has versatility as a fullback. He lacks the size and strength to be a true lead blocker but could be very effective in a West Coast offense."
Negatives: Undersized and will struggle as a lead blocker, more of a situational runner... Doesn't have the strength to stay engaged with larger defenders... Has had some injury problems... Doesn't have a set position, not big enough to be a traditional fullback, not fast enough to be a feature back... Would like to see him finish his runs better, likes to dance too much for a guy his size."
Weaknesses: Is light for a fullback. Inconsistent effort as a blocker. Will miss blocks too often. More of a positional and wall off blocker who struggles to stick with his blocks. Struggles to pick up blocks in pass protection at times. Runs upright and has missed games as a result due to injury.
Projection: Third rounder. Havili's versatilty and athleticism compare to the Browns' Peyton Hillis. Havili should see the field as a rookie in a variety of ways."
Havili is obviously a superb pass catcher out of the backfield. During his career 12 of his receptions resulted in touchdowns. However, Havili can do more than catch the ball. On a team that has had some solid running backs over the last four years, Havili has made his mark. As a redshirt freshman in 2007, he rushed for 134 yards and two scores on just 21 carries. Havili did not see more carries than that until his senior season when he rushed for 166 yards on 26 carries, but he has averaged over six yards per carry during his career.
Havili is flashier than your average fullback. The NFL will like his versatility, speed and explosiveness, but he still needs to develop into a better blocker. He also has a few questions to answer about a fight with his teammate that led to a suspension. Yet, Havili will likely be the top fullback on most draft boards and the fact that he can be a third down running back will make him a more attractive option to teams that do not often use a fullback."
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I believe that Stanley Havili is miscast as a Full Back.
He can Seal The Edge, but he's simply non existent as a Lead Blocker.
However, he CAN create some Magic in the Pass Game, and he's got some skills as a Runner.
Clearly, this guy is more of an Half Back who can Catch.
But he's being marketed as a Full Back, which I find pretty odd...
As such, he is Over Rated...And, frankly, he's not much of an Half Back, either.
Frankly, he's a Full Back/Tight End Hybrid: a Running Back who's best purpose is to line up Wide as a Receiver: a Swing Back, I'll call'm.
Over Rated!!
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