Gerald Willis

Gerald Willis III (born August 23, 1995) is an American football defensive tackle for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played college football for the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes.

For the Alabama politician, see Gerald Willis (politician).
Gerald Willis
No. 9 – Orlando Guardians
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1995-08-23) August 23, 1995
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:Edna Karr
College:Florida
Miami (FL)
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:2
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and high school

Willis was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and attended Edna Karr High School. Willis was a standout defensive tackle for the Cougars high school football team and was named the All-New Orleans Large Schools Defensive Player of the Year twice and was an All-America selection as a senior, when he made 107 tackles, including 43 for a loss and 15 sacks.[1] He was widely considered to be one of the top defensive line prospects in his class and committed to play college football at the University of Florida over offers from Texas, LSU, Florida State, and Alabama, among others.[2]

College career

Willis began his college career at Florida. He appeared in five games as a freshman, making 14 tackles. Willis forced a key red zone fumble in the Gators' 28–20 win in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl over East Carolina. After the season, Florida announced that Willis was dismissed from the team after several on and off the field incidents.[3]

Willis transferred to Miami after his dismissal and sat out the 2015 season due to NCAA transfer rules.[4] As a redshirt sophomore, Willis made 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in nine games before tearing his MCL, an injury that caused him to miss the entire 2017 season.[5] He was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and named second-team All-America by Sports Illustrated in his redshirt senior season after making 59 tackles, 18 of which were for loss, with four sacks.[6][7]

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Despite being projected to be a mid-round pick, Willis went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent shortly after the conclusion of the draft on April 27, 2019.[8] Willis was released by the Baltimore Ravens on August 31, 2019.[9]

Miami Dolphins

Willis was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad on September 2, 2019, but was waived two days later.[10][11] The Dolphins re-signed Willis to their practice squad on September 23, 2019.[12] He was promoted to the active roster on November 20, 2019.[13] Willis made his NFL debut on November 24, 2019 against the Cleveland Browns.[14] He was placed on injured reserve on December 13, 2019.[15] Willis finished his rookie season with two tackles in two games played.[16] Willis was released by the Dolphins on April 18, 2020.[17]

Green Bay Packers

Willis was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on April 21, 2020.[18] He was waived on July 26, 2020.[19]

Orlando Guardians

On November 17, 2022, Willis was drafted by the Orlando Guardians of the XFL.[20]

Personal life

Willis is the younger brother of All-Pro safety Landon Collins of the New York Giants.[21]

NFL career statistics

Regular season
SeasonTeamGamesTackles
GPGSTotalSoloAstSckInt
2019MIA 202020.00
Total 202020.00
Source: NFL.com

References
  1. Lopez, Andrew (February 4, 2015). "Former Karr standout Gerald Willis transferring to Miami". NOLA.com. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  2. Reynolds, Tim (August 28, 2018). "Remember Karr DT Gerald Willis? After spurning LSU for Florida, he'll start Sunday ... for Miami". The Advocate. Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  3. Hinnen, Jerry (January 6, 2015). "Florida dismisses freshman DL Gerald Willis III". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  4. Porter, Matt (June 18, 2015). "New Miami Hurricane Gerald Willis III hopes to shed Florida Gators baggage". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  5. Washington, Matt (November 22, 2018). "Miami Hurricanes 2018 Senior Profile: DT Gerald Willis III". StateOfTheU.com. SB Nation. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  6. Rubenstein, Alan (April 26, 2019). "Miami Hurricanes DT Gerald Willis' stock falling among national NFL Draft experts". CanesWarning.com. FanSided. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  7. "SI's 2018 College Football All-America Team". Sports Illustrated. December 5, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  8. Miller Degnan, Susan (April 27, 2019). "Miami DT Gerald Willis signs with Ravens as undrafted free agent after shocking slide". The Miami Herald. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  9. Adsit, Morgan (August 31, 2019). "Ravens Make Final Roster Cuts/Moves". FoxBaltimore.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  10. Jackson, Barry (September 2, 2019). "How Gerald Willis feels about his return to Miami. And news from other Dolphins additions". The Miami Herald. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  11. Poupart, Alain (September 4, 2019). "Top News: Kenyan Drake Ready To Deliver". MiamiDolphins.com.
  12. Deen, Safid (September 23, 2019). "Dolphins Brian Flores still has confidence in Kenyan Drake despite early-season struggles". CBS12.com.
  13. "Dolphins Sign Adrian Colbert, Activate Andrew Van Ginkel, Promote Gerald Willis". MiamiDolphins.com. November 20, 2019.
  14. Perkins, Chris (November 24, 2019). "The Dolphins' season is back on track to fulfilling its original purpose". The Athletic. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  15. "Dolphins Awarded Cornerback Tae Hayes Off Waivers". MiamiDolphins.com. December 13, 2019.
  16. Nogle, Kevin (December 13, 2019). "Dolphins add Tae Hayes, place Gerald Willis on IR". ThePhinsider.com. SB Nation. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  17. "Gerald Willis: Cut loose by Miami". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. April 18, 2020.
  18. "Packers boost depth on defense by signing two former Dolphins". Wausau Daily Herald. April 21, 2020.
  19. Western, Evan (July 26, 2020). "Packers release DT Gerald Willis after claiming him on waivers in April". Acme Packing Company. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  20. "Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed". ESPN.com. November 18, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  21. Birdsong, Nick (February 5, 2015). "Landon Collins' brother, former 4-star DL Gerald Willis III transferring to Miami". AL.com. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
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