Big Willie Style

Big Willie Style

BY: CHRIS PLANK

Brayden Willis is setting the example for how to handle yourself on and off the field, through both the good times and the tough times.

When the offense needed to be creative to find a way to move the ball without its starting quarterback, Brayden Willis did whatever was necessary. When tough questions were asked after disappointing losses, Willis answered. When someone needed to make a big catch or a big block, Willis stepped up.

When the Sooners needed a leader, Willis was there with passion and energy even when things weren’t going the Sooners’ way.

In a unique twist, the success he is enjoying this season would not be a reality without the challenges of the 2020 season. Willis received an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver. He could have easily taken a shot at the NFL but felt there was unfinished business in Norman.

“I just think this is a special place,” Willis said of his decision to return. “I love it here and I just wanted to be here with my team. I tell this all the time when I talk to recruits. I was recruited a second time so I can tell you everything that they’re telling you is true. I’ve seen it. I’ve got to experience it and I’m so glad I came back.”

Willis was a part of the 2018 recruiting class after a standout career at James Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. In his senior season at James Martin, Willis recorded 542 passing yards, 574 rushing yards and 574 receiving yards. His diverse skillset shined at James Martin High School where he threw for four touchdowns, had 16 rushing touchdowns, seven receiving touchdowns and even registered an interception.

For the last three seasons, Willis has been a consistent presence at the fullback/tight end/h-back position, catching a touchdown pass in three straight games to close out the 2019 regular season. After a minor dip in his numbers in 2020, when he only played in five games battling injuries, Willis bounced back in 2021 and started eight games. He caught his most passes for his most yards last season.

With Jadon Haselwood, Michael Woods, Mario Williams, Austin Stogner and Jeremiah Hall heading out the door, Willis was presented with a fantastic opportunity to make an even bigger name for himself in his final season with the Oklahoma Sooners. But he would also have to deal with a coaching change as well.

“I think everybody has the same story I do,” Willis said. “When you talk to (Coach Venables), it’s just something different about him, something special. I knew that I wanted to grow as a player. Right off the bat, I knew he was different, that he would be able to make me better in all aspects, not just football but a better man.”

Despite the new coach staff and offensive system under Offensive Coordinator Jeff Lebby, there was some familiarity for Willis. Joe Jon Finley returned as the tight ends coach, and he knew what kind of player he had in Willis.

“He’s a lead-by-example type of guy whenever you get in the weight room, out there running, in the meeting room,” Finley said. “It’s a great picture for those younger guys to see every day. He’s become more vocal because he’s earned that right. He does a fantastic job with every aspect.

“You must treat this like a job. You have to do a great job of managing your time and doing everything right. That’s what he does every single day. He’s the same guy every single guy. That’s why he’s had so much success and will continue to have so much success.”

The decision to return for Willis was rewarded early as he exploded out of the gate both physically and statistically. Willis became a main cog in Lebby’s offensive machine catching two touchdown passes in the opener against UTEP and has also delivered countless soul-crushing blocks that helped ignite the Sooners’ rushing attack.

“I thought this entire time that his skill set is unique because he gives you the ability to do so many different things,” Lebby said. “He can play on the perimeter, play in the core, block at the point, block on the perimeter, stretch it down the field and catch footballs all over the field in a lot of diverse ways. We’ve got to continue to do a good job of using him and maximizing his ability.”

But adversity struck after an incredible 3-0 start to the season. The Sooners suffered its first 3-game losing streak since the 90s. But, through it all, Willis stayed the course.

“(Willis) is the same dude every single day,” Lebby said. “He’s been an unbelievable leader. He’s got toughness. He’s got physicality. He’s got high want-to, high character and he’s earned it.”

He caught two more touchdown passes in a loss to Kansas State, had the biggest play of the game in a hardfought loss to TCU, and even stepped up as a quarterback in a new wildcat formation the Sooners used against Texas after an injury sidelined starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

“I was out there at one point in time, we were to the Texas side, and it was rocking, it was loud,” Willis said of playing quarterback against Texas. “I was like,’ Wow. I’m really playing wildcat quarterback right now.’ It was a surreal feeling, especially in that game that meant so much to me.”

The 3-game losing streak was challenging and frustrating, but it magnified Willis’ commitment to Sooner football and that caught the eye of Hall of Fame Coach Bob Stoops.

“The guy is incredible,” Stoops said on The Rush with Teddy Lehman and Tyler McComas on the Ref Radio Network. “He’s a talented guy and put it all out there. When I’m around, he’s a positive influence and a great leader. He has done a great job doing all he could to make something happen.”

Willis continued the grind and relentless effort in the Sooners bounce-back Homecoming win over Kansas. Willis finished with a career-high 102 yards receiving and scored a touchdown. The win broke the 3-game losing skid and helped to reset the energy around the program heading into the bye week.

“I’m just being the best leader that I can, being an older guy who has been in a lot of situations,” Willis said. “I’ve never been in this situation, but that doesn’t mean

I haven’t been through a whole lot of football. The sky is not falling. The sun is still gonna shine in the morning. If we can get it turned around, we can still have a really good season.”

The leadership Willis provides is not only influencing younger players on the roster but also setting a standard for the veterans as well.

“He’s just such a selfless guy,” Sooner linebacker Deshaun White said. “He’s a vocal guy. He knows exactly what to say. He leads by example. Everything that’s coming for him, he’s worked for it and earned it.”

Willis has already set a career high for receptions and touchdowns in a season while establishing himself as an unquestioned leader. Through a season that has already featured incredible highs and disappointing and challenging lows, there has been one constant on the field - the hard work and all-out effort of Brayden Willis

“I’m just going to continue to lead and lead hard,” Willis said. “My parents used to say all the time that I’m gonna talk to you until I’m blue in the face. I don’t have too much longer here so I’m going to talk until I’m blue in the face and make sure I get the job done.”-BSM