Mustafa Haboul doesn't have ideal size for an interior defensive lineman - at least not yet.
The issue is one both Haboul and Arlington Martin head coach Bob Wager believe he will be able to address quickly at North Texas.
Haboul committed to play for the Mean Green after taking an official visit to the school over the weekend.
Haboul is the second player from Martin whom UNT has landed in the past few days, joining offensive lineman Connor Trussell.
Oral commitments are nonbinding. National signing day is Wednesday.
"You can't measure how much heart someone has and their love of the game," Haboul said. "You can see that when you put my film on."
Haboul is 6-foot, 250 pounds, but believes he can put on weight quickly in a college weight program and capitalize on the potential Wager saw in him during his senior year.
"He's a savage," Wager said. "North Texas fans are in for a treat with him. He has a high motor and his work ethic is phenomenal. He wore a brand new helmet this year and it can't be reconditioned and used again."
Haboul wore that helmet out while posting eight sacks and earning first-team All-District 4-5A honors.
"Everyone wants the 6-4, 300-pounder at defensive tackle, and there is something to be said for that," Wager said. "But he is very disruptive and extremely physical. He is the same on every play in practice, in the offseason and in everything that he does."
UNT running backs coach Mike Grant recruited Haboul, who said he chose UNT over offers from Tarleton State, Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce.
"North Texas is close to home and has a great program," Haboul said. "They are on the rise and I can see myself playing there. They have a great academic program. I want to major in pre-med."
Haboul will have a lot of work to do both in the weight room and the classroom to reach his goals.
The challenge is one he welcomes.
"I think I can put on a lot of weight and have the room to do so," Haboul said. "I work hard in the weight room."
The work Haboul has put in to this point helped him earn a scholarship offer from UNT, where he felt comfortable. Having a chance to play with Trussell was a bonus.
"Going there with Connor will be an incredible deal," Haboul said. "We came in to high school together and are great friends."
The connection the staffs at Martin and UNT have was also a factor in Haboul's decision. UNT strength and conditioning coach Frank Wintrich began his career in the same capacity at Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, where he coached Anthony Gonzales, who is now the strength and conditioning coach at Martin.
"We have great coaches at Martin," Haboul said. "I wouldn't be where I am today without coach Wager and coach Gonzales.
"One of the things I was looking for was a coaching staff that I could trust like my high school coaches."
Haboul believes he found just that at UNT.
BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com . MEAN GREEN COMMITMENTS
The following is a list of players who have orally committed to sign with North Texas from the class of 2012
Player
Pos.
School
David Busby
CB
Coppell
Dustin Clark
LB
Borger
Devante Davis
DB
Baton Rouge (La.) Woodlawn
Malik Dilonga
DE
Cedar Hill Trinity Christian
Boone Feldt
OL
Buda Hays
Mustafa Haboul
DT
Arlington Martin
Carlos Harris
ATH
Frisco
Christian Hines
WR
Corsicana
Brad Horton
DE
Liberty Christian
Jarmarcus Jarvis
RB/CB
East Ascension (La.)
D.Q. Johnson
CB
Iowa Western C.C.
Xavier Kelly
CB
Katy Mayde Creek
Roderick Lancaster
WR
Oak Cliff Life School
Mark Lewis
RB
Livonia, La.
Dylan McDorman
DT
Wichita Falls Rider
Ryan Rentfro
OL
Flower Mound Marcus
Jarrian Roberts
LB
Clarksville
Rex Rollins
RB
Tyler Chapel Hill
Nick Schrapps
WR
Beaumont Kelly
LaJaylin Smith
LB
St. Charles, La Place, La.
Connor Trussell
OL
Arlington Martin
Andrew Tucker
RB
Tyler Chapel Hill
Sir Calvin Wallace
DT
Tyler Chapel Hill
 
