Big Visit report: Henry Hattis

About a week before arriving on Stanford's campus to participate in the Cardinal's "Big Visit" recruiting weekend, 2016 New Mexico offensive lineman Henry Hattis received a piece of news that firmed up his college future.

"I was actually admitted about a week ago last Friday," Hattis said. "It was a huge relief. I was really hoping that I was able to pass that kind of barrier and Coach Bloom called me up. I'm really relieved."

Armed with word of his acceptance, Hattis arrived in the Bay Area last week for his third trip to Stanford's campus; he previously visited for Stanford's camp over summer and a game during the season.

"It was an awesome experience," Hattis said. "I had a lot of fun. I got to meet all of the guys. We're looking forward to getting back out there."

The three-star standout particularly enjoyed spending time with his future teammates.

"Just meeting all of the other guys in my class (was a highlight)," Hattis said. "I had already really met most of the coaches on my previous visits and a lot of the players, so I was really excited to get out there and wee who I would be playing with for the next four or five years. It was awesome. They're a great group of guys; I can't see myself playing with anyone else. It was a lot of fun."

Hattis also enjoyed the variety of activities on the trip itinerary.

"They kept us busy," he said. "From the morning until when we went to bed there was really no rest time for us. All of it was awesome. Meeting all of the special people - Condoleeza Rice, especially - was an awesome experience, hearing from her and all the experience she's had and the success she's had was just huge. But the other events were as well. They took us to EA Sports. We were able to see the tech aspect and the job market that is possible with a Stanford degree there. (There were also) multiple other things that were so eye-opening, not just football-wise but in other ways."

Hattis was hosted on his trip by Austin Maihen. The Cleveland High School (Rio Rancho, N.M.) star spent plenty of time with his fellow 2016 Cardinal recruits, including Nate Herbig, Clark Yarbrough, K.J. Costello, Obi Eboh and others.

Hattis and his fellow commits did their best to try and convince some of the uncommitted visitors on the trip to join the Cardinal's recruiting class.

"Oh, definitely," Hattis said. "Kind of the general feel was the guys who weren't committed, we kind of had a feel that they were going to commit pretty soon. That was kind of a big push for us, to get them over the ledge that they're on right now and get them to buy in and see what it's all about."

Hattis, however, is not on the fence about his college choice.

"I'm locked in," he said. "I'm 100 percent Stanford."