The fall of Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Gerald Willis out of the 2019 NFL Draft was complicated and multi-faceted. The three biggest reasons were injuries, scouts observations that he is not a great pass rusher and his off the field problems.
Gerald Willis falling out of the draft because of behavioral issues is troubling and hypocritical by the NFL. Several NFL players with behavioral issues were drafted this weekend. In the past players like Kareem Hunt, Tyreke Hill and Joe Mixon were all drafted with teams knowing about their behavioral issues entering the NFL.
There was more to Willis plummetting out of the NFL draft than his behavioral issues. A broken finger in the sixth game of 2018 against Florida State, an injured groin in the final regular season game against Pittsburgh and a pulled hamstring running the 40-yard dash during Miami’s Pro Day hindered Willis’ draft value.
Willis behavioral issues seemed to be behind him. The 6’4 285 defensive tackle was dismissed from the Florida Gators football program in 2014 for numerous behavioral issues. One of the reported incidents involved an altercation with Florida backup quarterback Skyler Morningweg and a pair of cleats.
Baltimore Ravens Lets Go, I appreciate the Opportunity #RealSavage 💯🔥
— Gerald Willis III (@gw3_9) April 27, 2019
A pair of Morningweg’s missing cleats were found in Willis’ locker. An altercation eventually ensued and Morningweg wound up with a split lip according to the Alligator, the Florida student newspaper. The Alligator reported that Morningweg threw the first punch after Willis pushed him.
Willis transferred to Miami and redshirted in 2015. He was a backup on the defensive line in 2016. The Hurricanes won the Camping World Bowl in Orlando that season. Willis took the next year off to deal with what he deemed were personal issues. He came back this season and was a model teammate by most reports.