'Ich Bin Ein Dawg': Huskies Get Commitment From German Edge Defender
The Washington Huskies picked up a commitment on Friday night from defensive end prospect Maurice Heims, a former soccer player from Germany.
The native of Hamburg, Germany, the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Heims is enrolled at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
He spoke highly of the UW family culture, the way the football community as a whole has embraced him and the post-football opportunities the Seattle business community offers.
"Washington is the entire package," Heims said.
His father works for Lufthansa and Seattle is known for the airline industry, which also factored into his decision.
While noting the German national isn't the complete package yet, Heims has a avery high ceiling, said John Garcia, Sports Illustrated's director of football recruiting.
"He runs like a deer," Garcia said. "When he's tracking down small punt returners and kick returners on special teams, it shows you the kind of athlete Heims is."
Garcia further noted how well Heims moves in the open field and pursues quarterbacks.
Heims played soccer until he was 13, when he took a year off from sports. He began playing American football in his sophomore year of high school in Hamburg, Germany, at the urging of his friend.
"I had played soccer most of my life, nine years," he said.
As his body grew, he realized an American football uniform might fit him better than a soccer uniform.
"The nearest place to play was in Wiesbaden, 45 minutes away," Heims said. "I fell in love with the game immediately."
In Germany, he played for former NFL defensive lineman Brandon Collier.
Given his speed, size and soccer background, Collier moved him around to find the best fit.
"I began as a receiver but I didn't see the field a lot," Heims said.
When his team switched to a new alignment, he moved to tight end. Later he found a home as an edge defender.
"Penn State was my first offer," Heims said. "That showed me how much potential I have to play D-1 football. After that, it became my goal."
Heims decided to leave Germany to pursue the game. He landed in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He began to hear from colleges.
"Moving to the states was the best choice for me," he said, without a hint of a German accent.
The Huskies have told him they plan to use him as an edge defender.
"Heims can set the edge, get after the quarterback, drop back into coverage and chase down ballcarriers from behind," said Trevor Mueller, Husky Maven/Sports Illustrated recruiting analyst.