Defensive end Mike Williams joins Villanova football's 2013 recruiting class

Mike Williams is a 6-5, 280-pound defensive end from Severn, Maryland, and according to Rivals.com he committed to join Villanova's 2013 football recruiting class recently. He chose the Wildcats over offers from Boston College, James Madison and Hampton. He also reportedly had an offer to play at Maryland that was accepted, but he later de-committed from the Terrapins program.

The Archbishop Spalding senior is rated 3-stars by Rivals.com, 2-stars by Scout, and 2-stars by 247Sports.

He has very good size for Villanova's 3-man defensive line. He will likely be able to shift inside as well when the 'Cats go with a four-man line to combat passing offenses. Maryland reportedly wanted to move him to offensive line, which prompted his de-commitment, but that could also be a possibility for him down the line as well if defense doesn't work out.

Williams was invited to play in the 2012 Maryland Crab Bowl all-star game, playing for the Washington team (losing 28-7 to Baltimore).

He is the seventh member of Villanova's 2013 recruiting class and the second defensive line recruit to commit. Signing day is about a month away in early February.

Spalding senior Mike Williams had talked with his family and decided to wait to make a decision on his college football future until after making an official visit to Villanova next weekend.

Last Friday, Williams surprised his mother, Faith, when he ended a home visit with a pair of Villanova assistants by offering his oral commitment. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound lineman coyly told defensive coordinator Billy Crocker and running backs coach Darrius Smith he'd need a Villanova hat for his National Signing Day ceremony before adding that he planned to sign with the Wildcats.

Williams chose Villanova at least partially because he wanted to play defense in college, while many larger programs hoped to move him to offensive line -- where he played this fall out of necessity.