Wake Forest Athletics
Hazime Brings Veteran Experience to the Deacs Defense
8/17/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 17, 2012
By Nick Sebesta, Wake Forest Media Relations (@SIDeacons)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Hasan Hazime is no stranger to college football, the veteran is on the verge of his fifth year in the game, only this is his first with Wake Forest.
A starter for 22 games at Akron, Hazime was a consistent force on the Zips defensive line, but an injury his senior year forced him to sit out, although he gained an extra year of eligibility. He chose to come to Wake Forest and play in the ACC.
"I got hurt at Akron last season and got an extra year but I just wanted to get back into college football and finish my career the way I wanted to," said Hazime. "I got the opportunity to come to Wake and I'm making the best out of it."
A 6-5, 270 pound defensive end, he looks to figure in to a tough Demon Deacon defense.
"Everyone on defense is fast," Hazime said after practice on Friday. "Nikita (Whitlock) is hard to block."
Receiving his undergraduate degree in December of 2011 at Akron, Hazime is enrolled in graduate school at Wake Forest, pursuing a Master of Arts in Religion. Although he received a bachelor's degree, his priorities remain the same now that he is a grad student.
"I was in grad school the last semester at Akron," remarked Hazime. "I was still going to practice and I managed quite well. Just organizing your time and knowing what to do."
A native of Pickering, Ontario, Canada, he was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos with the 36th overall pick in the 2012 CFL Draft, but he chose to finish his career healthy at Wake Forest.
"(I want to) enjoy my senior year, I came to have fun and enjoy it," said Hazime. "Making the best out of my situation."
Wake Forest spent the morning practice on Friday focusing on special teams. The Deacs finished up with a late afternoon session as well. After completing its first scrimmage of the fall on Thursday, Wake Forest will hold its second scrimmage on Tuesday.
