Chris Willis

Position:
Defensive Line
Height:
6-2
Weight:
260
Class:
Graduate Student
Hometown:
Shelby
High School:
Crest
Prev School:
Appalachian State

Has one season of eligibility remaining at East Carolina as a graduate transfer from Appalachian State … Officially added to the Pirates’ roster during the summer of 2020 … Move to ECU offers a reunion with former prep teammate Aaron Ramseur from Crest High School in Shelby, N.C.

2019: Missed the entire season while recovering from an injury.

2018: Played in 13 games and started five of the final six contests at defensive end (came off the bench on Senior Day vs. Troy) … After making his first career start at Coastal Carolina, had sacks in three of the last five games, with quarterback takedowns against Texas State, Troy (to decide the division title) and Middle Tennessee (R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl) … Finished the season with 24 tackles, 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble (Coastal Carolina) and two QB hurries … Was part of back-to-back sacks against Troy to erase its last chance for a comeback before finishing that game with a career-high four tackles … Backfield pressure on a third-and-goal play at Texas State set up a goal-line interception that led to an ASU touchdown and a 21-0 lead (rather than a slim 14-7 edge) … Along with the forced fumble, also made a stop for a 7-yard loss at Coastal Carolina.

2017: Experienced action in 12 games as a reserve defensive end … Credited with 15 tackles, including three each against Wake Forest and Idaho … Picked up his first career sack in the comeback win over the Vandals … Also had a tackle for loss against Savannah State.

2016: Redshirted as a true freshman.

High School: Rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports ... Earned all-conference, all-county and honorable mention all-state recognition after posting 116 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble as a senior ... Recorded 351 total tackles, 63 tackles for loss, 25 sacks, seven fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles during his three-year prep career ... Was also 6-for-6 on PAT attempts as a sophomore ... Helped lead Crest to a 45-2 record, three straight North Carolina 3-AA state championship game appearances (2013-15) and back-to-back state titles (2014-15) ... Also recruited by Georgia Southern, Army West Point, Toledo, Tulane and Miami (Ohio) before signing with the Mountaineers.

Personal: Full name is Christopher Najee Darnell Willis … Son of Tracy Willis … Has one sibling - Miracle Willis … Has unique hobbies of repairing phones and collecting sneakers in his free time.