Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Ray Brewer:

His career hasn’t gone as planned, but UNLV defender maintains refreshing approach

UNLV Rebels vs Northern Illinois Huskies 2

Mikayla Whitmore

UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Brandon Willis (92) faces off during UNLV’s game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.

Brandon Willis walked off the practice field at Rebel Park last week, joking with younger teammates. They seemed to listen intently to every word the senior defensive lineman said.

The 23-year-old Willis understands his role as a veteran on the UNLV football team and realizes this is his last chance to have a meaningful college experience. And not just on the field.

That’s what makes Willis’ marriage with UNLV football a perfect fit. They both need each other.

Willis, who transferred this summer from UCLA, was a high school all-American in 2009 and ranked as the nation’s No. 69 overall recruiting prospect. But entering this season, he had just seven career tackles in bouncing between UCLA and North Carolina and failed to live up to expectations.

You can easily label his career a disappointment. Willis begs to differ. His story isn’t finished; knowing what happens this season will help define his legacy.

“If I live in the fact I didn’t play as much as I liked, that I bounced around or maybe some people didn’t believe in me, I wouldn’t be anywhere,” Willis said. “You have to keep it positive. Every day you get to come on this field is an opportunity to change your life. You never know who is watching. You never know what opportunity will present itself.”

While not much has gone right for 1-5 UNLV, especially defensively where it ranks near the bottom nationally in multiple defensive categories, Willis isn’t changing his tune.

“We have a lot of young guys and they have potential. We’ll turn it around,” he said. “Football is a journey. The season is a journey. There is always time to turn it around.”

The Rebels need more players with Willis’ mentality. And his ability. He has 16 tackles and a sack through six games, leading a defensive front forced to play younger players who aren’t necessarily ready to contribute.

Taking a transfer player with one year of eligibility is a risky proposition. He could be more concerned with enhancing his professional stock and might not buy into what the team is trying to accomplish. That’s far from the case with Willis, though, who has taken great pride in mentoring younger players.

“He has been a blessing,” UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said. “He’s a good guy. He’s a hard worker and a real positive guy. Oftentimes you worry about character things with transfers and why they left their school. But Brandon has been tremendous with his work ethic. He’s been great for the younger guys.”

Willis is surrounded by those younger players on the defensive line. Most are receiving their first significant playing time or being thrown into the rotation ahead of schedule because of injuries to others.

Yes, just like Willis’ career, this season hasn’t gone as planned for UNLV. It ranks 122nd nationally out of 125 teams in total defense, giving up an average of 545 yards per game.

Willis signed with North Carolina out of high school, graduating early to participate in spring practice with hopes of playing as a true freshman. One evaluating service ranked him as the nation’s No. 6 overall defensive tackle. Like other blue-chip recruits, he expected to contribute immediately.

But the NCAA sanctioned North Carolina shortly after Willis arrived and he realized a logjam of NFL prospects on the Tar Heels’ defensive line would force him to redshirt. Knowing he’d have to sit out a season, he decided to transfer to UCLA for a fresh start with a team not facing NCAA penalties.

He stayed at UCLA for one season before heading back to North Carolina to become the primary caretaker for his sick grandmother. He never enrolled in school, though, spending his time taking her to doctor appointments for kidney failure and working for tips detailing cars.

He wound up back at UCLA in time for the 2011 season, but he had to sit out because of transfer rules. Before he could play a game, he had just three years of eligibility remaining.

“You never know what life is going throw at you,” he said. “Coming out of high school, if someone would have said my life would be this way, I would have thought totally not. Things happen and you have to adapt. During tough times, tough people make it.”

Finally in 2012, three years after his last high school game, Willis debuted for UCLA in a reserve capacity. There were some good times, such as beating USC in back-to-back seasons and graduating last spring with a degree in history. He also made the honor roll.

But he felt a void with his college experience. He wanted a chance to regularly start and show he was worthy of being a high school all-American. With a college degree and another year of eligibility in hand, he was able to transfer and immediately become eligible. UNLV became his new home.

“Opportunities are hard to come by. When you get one, you have to take advantage of it,” he said. “I love it here. I love the atmosphere here.”

That’s the message Willis shares with younger teammates, firmly believing UNLV will become a winning program. And while he might not be part of the team then, he’ll take satisfaction knowing his last go-round in college football included building the foundation for the Rebels’ future.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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