100 Days to Football Time in Oklahoma: #81 Brayden Willis

The Path to Norman

Brayden Willis had few offers until late in the recruiting process: that didnโ€™t stop the Sooners. With an offer coming mere weeks before signing day, Willis wasted no time in committing to Oklahoma.

https://twitter.com/Bwillis_11/status/958037508696170497

TFB mentioned at the time that Oklahoma felt Willis was an absolute steal at the position, giving the Sooners a surprise late in the cycle. 

Career so Far

With OU losing a Mackey Award winner in Mark Andrews, there was an opening at the tight end spot to accompany Grant Calcaterra. Willis filled that spot well, playing in 13 of the 14 games in 2018. Not many players can claim to have played that many games in year one on campus. Although he had only one reception on the season, Willis has a wide skill set that was used all over the field. 

In 2019, Willis shifted to the H-Back spot. Jeremiah Hall and Willis were an excellent tandem at the spot, providing another skill spot on the field for Coach Rileyโ€™s offense. Willis also continued to excel on special teams, blocking his second punt in as many years on campus.

Stats

Highlights

2020 Season

Hall and Willis will continue to lock down the H-back spot for the Sooners this season. Willis may also receive time at tight end, with Austin Stogner the starter. Willis is good all over the field and has made himself a valuable addition to the team in his two years on campus; donโ€™t look for that to slow down in 2020.