Miami football struggled in 2018, which was apparent on draft day. The Hurricanes had five players selected in the 2019 NFL Draft but none were selected within the first three rounds. The team’s best player, Gerald Willis III, went undrafted, which is something that many draft experts did not see coming.
The second-team All-American had some character concerns as he was dismissed from the University of Florida in his freshman season. Willis III also took a year off from football in 2017 and dealt with several injuries in his final collegiate season. He was one of the most dominant defensive tackles in college football last season but the numerous red flags prevented him from being drafted.
Willis III signed with the Baltimore Ravens and he has a great chance to make the roster. While the team did draft Daylon Mack in the sixth round, the Ravens do not have many options at defensive tackle. Willis III might already be one of the most talented defensive tackles on the team, despite not getting drafted.
His performance in Miami’s opening day loss to LSU was incredible as he recorded eight tackles, four of them for loss and a pair of sacks. Willis III has great quickness off the snap and an ability to make plays in the backfield. He is a solid interior pass rusher but can sometimes be out of the game.
Willis III has to play with consistency in Baltimore to earn a spot on the team. The Ravens won the AFC North last season and are looking to repeat as champions in 2019. The team added playmakers on the perimeter in Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Miles Boykin, while upgrading at safety with Earl Thomas.
Terrelle Suggs and Za’Darius Smith both left the team in free agency so the team needs help on the defensive side of the ball. The Ravens drafted the NCAA’s career leader in sacks in Jaylon Ferguson but they still need more disruption on the defensive line. Mack is capable of doing that but he is more of a nose tackle than a true defensive tackle.
The Ravens do not possess anyone on their roster that is a truly disruptive force on the defensive line. Willis III has the potential to be that type of player for the Ravens despite not being drafted. He might not be a double-digit sack guy like Suggs but he will demand double teams in the NFL.
Willis III has the NFL bloodlines as his half brother is Washington Redskins safety Landon Collins. The two teams match up with each other in the final week of the preseason, so the two half brothers have the opportunity to be on the same field. Willis III will have to play his way onto the team and he should because of his talent and skillset.
He has the ability to potentially win a starting role due to his disruptive ability. If Willis III is able to win a starting role, the Ravens will have gotten the steal of the 2019 NFL Draft.
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