Brock Huard’s NFL Draft preview: Kansas State DE Jordan Willis
Apr 26, 2017, 1:47 PM | Updated: 1:54 pm
Each day, Brock Huard is profiling a different draft prospect that he considers an early-round possibility for the Seahawks. His draft previews continued with Kansas State’s Jordan Willis. The audio is embedded above.
• Position: DE
• Height/weight: 6-4, 255
• Class: Sr.
• Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
STATS scouting report: A three-year starter at Kansas State, Willis lined up exclusively at left defensive end for the Wildcats with improved production each season, raising his game another notch as a senior. After spending most of his true freshman season as a reserve, he became a full-time starter as a sophomore in 2014 and finished with 25 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Willis started all 13 games as a junior and led the team with 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He had his most productive season as a senior in 2016 (13 starts) with a conference-best 11.5 sacks, adding 52 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles to receive Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 honors.
Willis fills out his uniform with ease and will win over a coaching staff with his work habits and committed mentality. He is quick off the snap with a stubborn motor, but his game is built more on hustle than twitch, lacking desired flexibility to win the corner on speed. Although he doesn’t necessarily have the loose body control or explosive traits that scouts covet in edge rushers, Willis competes with intense determination that leads to production that cannot be overlooked.
STRENGTHS: Built for the NFL game with his developed physique and long arms. Strong hands to engage and toss at the point of attack. Not only has long arms, but understands how to use his reach to extend, drive his feet and create push. Calculated with his initial punch to break the rhythm of blockers. Upper body power to bear hug and body slam ball carriers. Fast off the ball due to reaction quickness and relentless hustle. Won’t quit in pursuit and competes through the echo of the whistle. Responsible for seven forced fumbles the past two seasons and also blocked a kick in 2015. Film junkie and works with a meticulous attitude. Unselfish, team-first type who was voted a senior captain and leads by example. Productive starting experience and ranks third in school history with 26 career sacks.
WEAKNESSES: Stiff, upright rusher with mechanical movements in space. Ordinary edge acceleration and not a true speed rusher. Rounds off the edge and often over-runs the pocket, going the long way to the quarterback. Too easily slowed in congestion and doesn’t show the same power in pursuit. Predictable rush attack and lacks creativity. Stands up at times, stalling his rush. Streaky ball instincts, misreading zone reads and taking himself away from the play. Inconsistent results as an edge-setter and doesn’t always play up to his measureables in this area, struggling to re-establish the line of scrimmage.
– STATS
