Kevin Willis

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Photo by: Michael Hickey

Photo by: Paul Ferrer

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Photo by: Kyle Crawford

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Position:
Defensive Tackle
Ht./Wt.:
6-2 / 300
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Indianapolis, Ind.
Prev School:
Lawrence Central HS
High School:
Lawrence Central
Major:
Exercise Science

Awards and Honors:
2017 Team Captain

2017 (Sr.): One of three defense players to start all 12 games … finished his career with 22 consecutive starts and 36 overall … tallied a sack and three tackles in the win over UAB on Sept. 9 … racked up a season-high six tackles in his final appearance as a Cardinal against Miami on Nov. 21 … notched three solo tackles at Eastern Michigan on Nov. 2 … put up multiple tackles in 10 games.

2016 (Jr.): Played in all 12 games with 11 starts at defensive tackle … involved in a sack in three games … notched six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack at Central Michigan on Oct. 8 … recovered a third quarter fumble against Northern Illinois on Oct. 1 that led to a Ball State touchdown … tallied multiple stops in each of the last three games.

2015 (So.): Played in all 12 games with 11 starts at defensive tackle … picked up multiple tackles in six games … notched a career-best eight tackles versus Toledo on Oct. 3 … recorded one of Ball State’s three sacks at No. 16 Texas A&M on Sept. 12 … his sack ended a third quarter drive by the Aggies … recovered a second quarter fumble at No. 17 Northwestern on Sept. 26 that led to a Ball State touchdown.

2014 (Fr.): Played in six games with starts at Massachusetts and versus Eastern Michigan … earned first letter … registered first career tackle versus Northern Illinois.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters for coach Jed Richman at Lawrence Central High … helped team to Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 5A state championship as a junior … team reached as high as No. 11 in the national rankings as a junior … all-state as a junior and senior … Indiana Football Coaches Association Top-50 as a senior … all-county as a junior and senior … all-conference as a senior … named to Indianapolis Star Super Team as a senior … Lawrence Central team captain as a senior … graded out at 95 percent as an offensive lineman as a senior … graded out at 85 percent in career … 2012 and 2013 Kiwanis Academic and Athletic Awards … member of Student-Athletes of Character at LCHS … 2013 Griddy’s Football Award recipient … also competed in track … advanced to regionals in the discus as a junior.

PERSONAL: Son of James and Sandra Willis … born Oct. 20, 1995, in Indianapolis … his cousin, George Koonce, was an eight-year starter for the Green Bay Packers between 1992 and 1999 … another cousin, LaRonte Bryant, played for Elizabeth City State College … full name is Kevin Tyler Willis.