2019 NFL Draft Profile: Gerald Willis III a fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Dylan Grimm
Willis’s Past: How he got here today
Although 2018 was sweet for Willis on and off the field, his name may bring up some red flags for NFL owners and general managers as Willis was considered a menace and a team cancer while at the University of Florida and his actions ultimately led to his dismissal from the university.
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After transferring from Florida to The University of Miami (FL) in 2015 and sitting out the entire season, he came into the 2016 season in a reserve role behind future NFL and AAF tackles in Kendrick Norton, RJ McIntosh and Anthony Moten. During that reserve season Willis only accounted for 19 total tackles and a sack and a half, not very inspiring for the former five-star recruit.
With only one year of eligibility remaining in the NCAA, Willis decided to sit out the 2017 season and join the scout team. At the time this move was puzzling and seemed like a head scratcher but it ended up saving his career and increasing his potential earning exponentially.
Heading into the 2018 season, there were massive shoes to fill with star Junior defensive tackles Norton and McIntosh both leaving early for the NFL Draft. Willis had just won scout team player of the year and had now managed to prove the doubters wrong by staying out of trouble for two straight years, but more importantly becoming a healthy menace on Greentree practice field.