Ball State University Athletics
2026 Football Roster
Willizhuan Yates
- Position:
- Defensive Back
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-0 / 175
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Springboro, Ohio
- Prev School:
- Springboro HS
- High School:
- Springboro HS
2026 Preseason All-MAC (third team CB by Athlon Sports; fourth team CB by Phil Steele Football College Preview)
Considered Ball State's top cover corner, Yates is a two-year starter under defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles ... owns 12 career starts, the most among all returning players on the Ball State defense ... boasts 51 career tackles and two career interceptions ... entered the transfer portal following the 2025 season but returned to the Cardinals ... "He's our best corner. He can cover, he can tackle, I'm glad he came back," said head coach Mike Uremovich." ... boasts one interception in each of the past two seasons, including Week 6 at Kent State in 2024 on his first defensive series as a starter ... started seven games in 2024 and had five more in 2025 ... goes by first name "Will," though his formal first name is Willizhuan (pronounced "WILL-uh-zonn") ... wore #20 in his first two seasons but switched to #4 during 2026 spring ball.
2025 (So.): Registered 34 total tackles, tying DJ Fields with the most in the Cardinals' secondary ... played 10 games with seven starts ... started the season's first six games before missing Game 7 vs. Akron (10/18) ... returned to the starting lineup against Toledo (11/22), but did not play in the finale at Miami (11/29) ... led the Cardinals with seven pass deflections, including two each against New Hampshire (9/13) and Northern Illinois (10/25) ... season-high seven tackles at Auburn (9/6), and five at both UConn (9/20) and Toledo (11/22).
2024 (Fr.): Recorded 17 tackles with an interception and two tackles for loss, while appearing in 10 games with five starts ... after limited duty in Ball State's first three games, he emerged with a season-high five tackles against Western Michigan (Nov. 5), then drew his first college start at Kent State (Nov. 12) ... picked off a pass in the game's opening series at Kent State to set up a Cardinals' touchdown ... recorded sacks laster in the year against Miami (Nov. 5) and Bowling Green (Nov. 23) ... did not play in the Cardinals' final game at Ohio due to injury.
HIGH SCHOOL: A second-team All-Southwest Ohio pick and a first-team all-conference selection, Yates earned three varsity letters at Springboro High School under coach Ryan Wilhite … he played on both sides of the ball while earning Springboro’s team MVP award last season … he collected 24 career touchdowns at running back, before switching to a corner position last fall where he collected two interceptions and returned one for a score … he totaled 13 touchdowns in his junior season and posted a career-high game with 225 rushing yards … he also played varsity basketball over four seasons, including all-conference honors on the hardwood … he goes by “Will” but honors his given name Willizhuan … his social media handle is @willizhuan.
PERSONAL: Son of Charlene and Willie … has six siblings …a hobby he enjoys is working out … a favorite athlete is former NFL defensive back Deion Sanders … he hopes to play in the league after college.
