WKU Recruiting: Juco Defensive End Haba Commits To Hilltoppers

After signing 17 players during the early signing period, we’ve been curious about how many players Tyson Helton will add during the…

After signing 17 players during the early signing period, we’ve been curious about how many players Tyson Helton will add during the traditional signing day on February 9th. On Saturday they added their first commitment since December in Junior College Defensive End Celestin Haba.

Haba is a 6' 3 235 pound defensive end originally from Columbia, South Carolina. At Scottsdale (AZ) Community College he played both defensive end and outside linebacker. The Fighting Artichokes (great nickname) finished 7–4 on the season narrowly losing to Blinn College (with OL signee Garrett Nickelson) in the Valley of the Sun Bowl. Unfortunately, Scottsdale CC doesn’t have any statistics listed on their website but he was the WSFL Defensive Player of the Year and was 1st Team All-Conference. Haba’s Hudl lists his 40 time at 4.58, really solid for an edge rusher. Here is his highlight tape.

Haba is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. He is the 124th Juco player in the nation and the 5th best OLB prospect according to the recruiting service. The Tops beat out Middle Tennessee and South Alabama for Haba’s services. If his commitment graphic is to be believed, Haba will probably play defensive end for the Tops. He should be able to provide depth on at a defensive end position that returns rising sophomore Juwuan Jones along with junior DeAngelo Malone, and seniors Carson Jordan, Nicholas Coffey & Heath Wiggins. He could play a hybrid role depending on which situation the defense finds itself in.

Haba is just the latest example of Tyson Helton’s willingness to dip into the Junior College well to fill holes and increase the talent level on the roster. He is the Tops fourth Juco commitment/signee joining Trae Meadows, Garrett Nicholson, & Marcus Bragg. It will be interesting to see how many more prospects that Helton adds over the next week and a half but Haba is definitely a solid start.