NAME: Gerald Willis
SCHOOL: Miami
CONFERENCE: ACC
POSITION: Defensive Tackle
CLASS: RS Senior
RECRUITMENT RATING: 4-star
HT: 6’2
WT: 280 lbs
Ball Get Off: First step quickness is exceptional. Specializes in beating his opponents to gaps. Heavily reliant on penetrating to win reps. However, needs to be more consistent. Would also like to see him do a better job of timing up the snap count.
Hand Usage: Run fits are non existent. Doesn’t illustrate the ability to stack and shed blockers on tape. Also tends to leave his chest vulnerable. Must improve his hand usage against the run in order to become a 3 down starter. Shows flashes of tremendous pass rush technique. Is very comfortable utilizing swim moves and sometimes hand swipes. Yet doesn’t understand leverage points or counter moves. Must expand and consistently use his hand technique at the next level.
Pad Level and Flexibility: Pad level is insufficient. Often gets vertical out of his stance allowing opponents to get under him. Is rarely the low man and gets washed down in the run game because of this. Creates little to no separation with his arms as well. Struggles using any type of power moves because of the minimal leverage he creates. Double teams give him a lot trouble. Shows flashes of flexibility and bend but they aren’t consistent.
Motor: Effort fluctuates. Illustrates moments of non stop hustle, chasing down ball carries when the play passes him by. However, there are too many instances where he will forfeit 1v1 reps. Motor must be more consistent if he wants to be a full time starter.
Pass Rush Ability: Possesses all of the physical talent to become an exceptional pass rusher. However, needs to get better with his hands and have a more methodical pass rush plan on a snap to snap basis. Besides a swim move, doesn’t have much of a pass rush arsenal.
Awareness: Reckless penetrator that has little gap integrity (because of defensive scheme). Responsibilities really don’t change, so he isn’t ask to identify blocking schemes.
Best Trait: Ball Get Off
Worst Trait: Pad Level
Best Film: LSU (2018)
Worst Film: Boston College (2018)
Gerald Willis possesses enough traits to can contribute immediately on obvious passing downs. However, he still needs development with his hands/pad level to reach his full potential. If he can improve on these areas of his games and be more consistent with his effort. He could become a quality three down player. His skill set fits the mold of a 3 technique in an even front.
Work Cited
- Ledyard, Jon. “2019 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Gerald Willis III.” The Draft Network, 27 Nov. 2018, thedraftnetwork.com/2018/08/04/2019-nfl-draft-player-profiles-gerald-willis-iii/.