Devon Williams of Fall River, a senior at Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury, has signed an NCAA national letter of intent to play football at the University of New Haven, a Division 2 school.

A talented defensive back for Catholic Memorial last fall, the 5-foot-11, 187-pound Williams returned a fumble for a touchdown in CM's Super Bowl loss to St. John's Prep of Danvers

"First and foremost every person we spoke to in the recruiting process (had) nothing but great things to say about Devon," New Haven head coach Chris Pincince wrote in an email. "From the football coaches, guidance counselor, family that came with him on the visit, and the president of Catholic Memorial, all said he was an unbelievable kid, a person of high character and somebody they hoped to succeed."

Last season, New Haven went 8-1 in the Northeast-10 Conference and was 9-3 overall. The Chargers qualified for the NCAA tournament where they defeated West Chester 35-28 and lost to Slippery Rock 59-20. Their only regular-season losses were to Division 1 Bryant and to NE-10 foe Long Island University Post.

Pincine forsees Williams helping New haven to maintain its excellence.

"On the football field he is a big, physical player that can run," the New Haven coach wrote. "He can contribute on defense and on special teams right away. I see him being on the field for us sooner rather than later. He wants a fantastic private school degree and he wants to win a championship. He thought New Haven gave him the best opportunity to do both."

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com.