Position: Inside Linebacker
School: Mississippi
Status: Senior
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240
40-Yard Dash: 4.60 (EST)
Positives:
Willis is an athletic and feisty linebacker with incredible instincts who will hunt down the ball carrier and punish him. A solid wrap-up tackler, you'll rarely see him whiff on a tackle. He blitzes well, and can sniff out a hole in the line as it's forming, then burst through it to the ball carrier or QB. Willis possesses the versatility and the right size to play inside or outside in the NFL. He is a leader on the field, and is one of the hardest workers you will find.
Negatives:
Willis' one glaring weakness is that he's fairly average in coverage, and will really struggle when matched up with the more athletic tight ends and running backs in the league. He plays a bit high a lot of the time, and needs to learn to keep his pad level lower to protect his body. His frame could use some more weight on it to prevent injuries. Willis also has a very hard time disengaging from larger blockers, and can easily be taken out of a play by most guards.
Overview:
Willis is a great prospect in all areas, with his raw skills and his high level of character. Any team in need of a linebacker will take a long look at him, and as a result, it's very likely he'll wind up in the top half of the first round.
