More and more college football players have been skipping bowl games in recent years to limit their injury risk before they begin their professional careers, and one NFL Draft prospect says pro players are encouraging him to go that route.
Miami defensive tackle Gerald Willis III, who has seen his stock rise this year after his college career got off to a slow start, said this week that NFL players he has spoken with believe he should sit out whichever bowl game the Hurricanes are invited to. Willis says he’s not going to do it.
UM DT Willis said NFL players have urged him not to play bowl to preserve NFL health but he's not going to take that advice
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) November 6, 2018
Many of the top players in the country have chosen not to suit up for bowl games in past years, including star running backs Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey, both of whom went on to be high picks in the NFL Draft. Willis is not seen as a first-round prospect, which may play a role in his decision.
Willis began his collegiate career at Florida before transferring to Miami a few years ago. He took a while to come into his own, but he has become one of the better run-stoppers in the nation this year.
If you remember, one star defensive lineman ripped fans last year for criticizing him over his decision to sit out during bowl season. It doesn’t sound like Willis is going to open himself up to the same backlash from Hurricanes fans.
