Miami Hurricanes DT Gerald Willis named best interior DL in CFB by ESPN

Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Gerald Willis has been named to ESPN’s midseason All-America team. Willis is tied for third in the nation in tackles for loss.

Willis returned to the Miami Hurricanes active roster this season after taking the 2017 season off for personal reasons. The Redshirt Senior defensive tackle has made the most of his final college season. Willis is tied for third nationally (with teammate Jonathan Garvin and Northern Illinois’ Sutton Smith) for tackles for loss.

Willis has been menacing this season for opposing offensive lines. He was named the Outland Trophy Player of the Month for September. Willis had 10.5 tackles for loss, 23 tackles and two sacks in the opening month of the season.

Willis’ honor from the Outland Trophy was remarkable for a player that was not even on the preseason watch list. Willis and Garvin have teamed to give the Miami Hurricanes one of the best defensive lines in the country.

Garvin has 33 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and leads Miami with five sacks this season. Willis has 36 tackles, 13 TFLs and two sacks. Willis was the only defensive lineman from the ACC named to ESPN’s midseason All-American team. The Miami defense is currently the number one defense in total yards against.

An argument can be made that the Hurricanes defense has been the best in the country this season. The Miami defense is highly ranked in several other categories. They are 21st in scoring defense, first in tackles for loss, tied for third in sacks and tied for third in turnovers forced.

Willis has been a huge part of the success of the Miami defense and it’s most intimidating player. In a conference that has Clemson’s highly touted defensive line and Florida State star defensive lineman Brian Burns, Willis has been the best in the first half of the season.

ESPN recognizing Willis as a midseason All-American is a great honor for the entire Hurricanes defense, Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz and Defensive Line Coach Jess Simpson who is in his first year with the Miami Hurricanes.

"“It has been an up-and-down career for the 6-4, 300-pound Willis, who started his career at Florida before being dismissed from the team. He also has weathered suspensions and a knee injury at Miami and took a leave of absence last season.But he came back with a vengeance this season as a redshirt senior and has been the most productive interior defensive lineman in college football with 13 tackles for loss, including two sacks.”"

Willis’ season shown he has done a lot of growing up this season. He has eclipsed his career totals across the board in half a season. Willis has an outstanding chance to become Miami’s first consensus All-American since defensive back Antrel Rolle in 2004.

Miami has not a defensive lineman named as a consensus All-American since Warren Sapp in 1994. Willis has greatly improved his draft stock. Pro Football Focus ranks him in their top ten defensive linemen in the country against the pass and the run.