Past behind him Miami Hurricanes DT Gerald Willis ready for big 2018

"It would be unfair to hold something over somebody. That’s just not the way that life works, to me. All we ask is that he’s a great teammate and does everything the program asks, and he has been straight A’s across the board. We’re super excited about who he is as a person, because ultimately this game will end for him at some point anyway. He’s going to be a man forever and I think he has turned into an outstanding man. What he does on the football field as a player is really exciting. I can’t wait to watch him in the fall.”"

Willis now has an opportunity to show what he can do in his Senior season getting the majority of the snaps. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios had a similar opportunity last season after being a backup for the first three years of his collegiate career. Berrios thrived by leading Miami in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2017.

Willis is listed as the 18th best defensive tackle for the 2019 NFL Draft. A good season should be able to move him up on that list.

Next: Is Gerald Willis Miami Hurricanes next great defensive tackle?

In addition to being Miami’s best interior defensive linemen, Willis also has a chance to be a leader on the defense. He is only Senior projected to start in 2018 in Miami’s front seven. Three Seniors will start in the secondary.