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The Seattle Seahawks didn't just bring in former USC running back (now a linebacker) Allen Bradford on Wednesday. The USCHawks connection continued with former Trojan head coach Pete Carroll signing the man leading the way for Bradford at USC -- fullback Stanley Havili. Havili was signed by the Seahawks to their practice squad, the team announced Wednesday.
Havili was waived by the Indianapolis Colts on November 4 after he failed a physical. He had been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since the beginning of the preseason due to a shoulder injury.
The blocking fullback with a great set of hands to catch passes out of the backfield has become a very rare breed as the position has slowly disappeared from the professional game as more teams use four- and five-receiver sets. The Colts, for example, have effectively eliminated the fullback role in their offense this season with Stanley Havili being out...and have performed even better.
Havili was drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, but was cut and signed to the Eagles' practice squad before the 2011 season. In 2012, Philadelphia signed Havili to their 53-man roster and he played in 15 games, starting a pair. Havili rushed six times for 22 yards and his first career touchdown. He also caught seven passes for 43 yards.
After the season, Havili was traded to Indianapolis for Clifton Geathers. The former Trojan had a productive 2013 season catching 18 passes for 128 yards and his first career receiving touchdown. He also had seven carries that went for seven yards. Havili is also a guy that is capable of playing on special teams. He had seven tackles each of the last two years and also caused two fumbles last year.
Stanley Havili finished with 509 yards rushing (6.3 avg) and three touchdowns at USC, but showed his ability to be a pass-catching threat, hauling in 104 receptions for 1,290 yards and 12 touchdowns. His last game with Pete Carroll as head coach was a memorable one. In the Emerald Bowl against Boston College in 2009, Havili had six catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns.