Jayhawks Football: Ryan Willis To Start Against Baylor

The quarterbacks on the Jayhawks football squad have quite the injury bug.

Michael Cummings tore his ACL in the spring game, Montell Cozart sprained his shoulder against Iowa State, and Deondre Ford will now require surgery on his thumb from the Rutgers game. Next in line is 6’4 true freshman Ryan Willis.

This game won’t sum up Willis’ career as a Jayhawk, but it could sure start one if he can lead KU to victory.

Willis was a three star quarterback ranked 698 nationally and fourth in the state of Kansas. He attended nearby Bishop Miege in Roeland Park, as did Mozart and was heavily recruited by Indiana, Kansas State, Tulsa, Wyoming, and Illinois.

Interestingly he committed to the Hawks during the Charlie Weis era. He was one of two 2015 commits from the state of Kansas. Willis’ pro style of play and height gives him so much upside as a freshman quarterback to compete at this stage so early in his college career. The talent is there and he has the potential to be another Kansas great at the quarterback position, at least in my opinion.

Willis was originally redshirted to start the season, but was quickly burned in the first game against South Dakota State. Cozart took a hard hit and came out for a couple plays to give Willis a chance to take some snaps. His redshirt was consequently burned instead of putting in second string Ford. He took two snaps going 0-2 throwing two duds into the ground.

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He did come in and play 16 snaps in the Iowa State game because of Cozart’s shoulder injury and really carried the team in the second half. The first three snaps he only completed one for five yards, but did end going 8-16 with 100 yards in the air.

The upside of Willis is through the roof as he can be mobile as well as he did rush for a 13 yard play, which was called back due to a hold.

Ryan Willis’ first career college start will be a tough one, as he faces up against the third ranked Baylor Bears. The Bears are 4-0 and they’ve put up at least 56 points in their four games. To be able to keep it close with Baylor, Kansas will need to really throw the ball and utilize Tre’ Parmalee and Steven Sims.

This game won’t sum up Willis’ career as a Jayhawk, but it could sure start one if he can lead KU to victory.

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