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Ryan Willis
refer to caption
Willis at the 2020 Hula Bowl
Personal information
Born: (1996-09-28) September 28, 1996 (age 28)
Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:211 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:Roeland Park (KS) Bishop Miege
College:Kansas (2015–2016)
Virginia Tech (2017–2019)
Position:Quarterback
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ryan Willis (born September 28, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. In 2019, Willis finished his senior season at Virginia Tech.

Early life and college

[edit]

Willis came out of high school as a three-star prospect, as rated by Rivals.com. He chose to play for Kansas over Wyoming, Illinois, Kansas State, and Tulsa. In his first start at Kansas, a Big 12 conference game versus the Baylor Bears, Willis broke his career high in passing, throwing 158 yards, on 20 completions and 36 attempts, and one touchdown. In a near win versus the 15th ranked TCU Horned Frogs, Willis threw 20–41 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown.[1] He started the final 8 games of the season for the Jayhawks in 2015, completing 165 of 315 passes for 1,719 yards, 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.[1][2]

He played in seven games, starting two, in 2016, completing 72 of 117 yards for 811 yards, 3 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.[1][2]

In January 2017, it was announced that Willis was transferring to play for the Virginia Tech Hokies.[3] At Virginia Tech, Willis joined the team as a walk-on with no guarantee that he would make the team; but he did and spent the 2017 season sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules.

In 2018, Willis has appeared in two games and made his first start at Virginia Tech at #22 Duke in Durham after an injury to incumbent starter Josh Jackson.[4] Virginia Tech won the game 31–14, and Willis was 17-of-27 for 332 yards and three touchdown passes.

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m) 		225 lb
(102 kg) 		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)
All values from Pro Day[5]

The Spring League

[edit]

Willis signed with the Linemen of The Spring League in May 2021.[6] He was the MVP for The Spring League Mega Bowl in 2021 playing for the championship team.[7] Willis would as well win The Spring League MVP the same season.[8]

Chicago Bears

[edit]

On December 18, 2021, Willis was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad.[9] On December 25, he was "flexed" to the Bears' active roster to back up starter Nick Foles against the Seattle Seahawks.[10] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on January 11, 2022.[11] He was released by the team on May 11, 2022.[12]

St. Louis BattleHawks

[edit]

On September 29, 2022, XFL Reporter Mike Mitchell reported that 8 quarterbacks that worked with Jordan Palmer have reportedly signed with each team. Willis signed with the St. Louis BattleHawks.[13][14]

Memphis Showboats

[edit]

On February 8, 2023, Willis signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL).[15] He was released on January 26, 2024.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ryan Willis". kuathletics.com. June 4, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Ryan Willis". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  3. ^ Bitter, Andy (January 11, 2017). "Kansas quarterback Ryan Willis transferring to Virginia Tech". roanoke.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  4. ^ Niziolek, Mike (September 25, 2018). "Ryan Willis fulfills unique family tradition in wild ride to starting role at Virginia Tech". roanoke.com. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "Ryan Willis, Virginia Tech, QB, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  6. ^ The Spring League 🏈 [@TheSpringLeague] (May 3, 2021). "First look at the #TSLLinemen ⚡️ roster at #TSL2021! In Week 1, The Linemen will face the Conquerors from @LucasOilStadium at 10 pm ET on Thursday, May 6! The game will air on @FS1. Tickets for the Week 1 doubleheader in Indy can be purchased here: https://t.co/qsEH1IockC https://t.co/CIyNeiNQQA" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ The Spring League 🏈 [@TheSpringLeague] (June 20, 2021). "MEGA BOWL MVP Ryan Willis (@RyanWillis14) was cool, calm, and confident leading the #TSLLinemen to a come from behind Mega Bowl victory! ⚡️🎨: @KingP926 https://twitter.com/TheSpringLeague/status/1406628611004801024" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2023 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ The Spring League 🏈 [@TheSpringLeague] (June 23, 2021). "He left no doubt. The #TSL2021 MVP is Linemen QB Ryan Willis (@RyanWillis14)! ⚡️ 🎨: @AlmanzaStudioz https://t.co/18EUhBxdW6" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Mayer, Larry (December 18, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears activate Goldman, promote Ledarius Mack". ChicagoBears.com.
  10. ^ Potash, Mark (December 25, 2021). "QB Ryan Willis flexed to Bears' active roster". Chicago Suntimes.
  11. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 11, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 11 to reserve/future contracts". ChicagoBears.com.
  12. ^ Mayer, Larry (May 11, 2022). "Roster Move: Bears sign QB Nathan Peterman". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  13. ^ "XFL: The First Group Of Tentatively Assigned Quarterbacks For The 2023 Season". September 29, 2022.
  14. ^ "Meet XFL QBs: Stats, experience, what to know about the 15 quarterbacks". ESPN. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  15. ^ @USFLShowboats (February 8, 2023). "Free Agent Signing" (Tweet). Retrieved February 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Larsen, James (January 26, 2024). "Memphis Showboats Sign QB Troy Williams In UFL Free Agency". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
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