Freshman defensive lineman Gerald Willis is no longer with the Florida Gators, Gator Country learned after speaking with April Justin, Willis’ mother.
Zach Abolverdi of the Gainesville Sun and other outlets first reported that Willis had been kicked off of the team after getting into a fight with a teammate. This would be the second such incident for Willis, who was in an altercation with backup quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg earlier in the year, an incident that required police to be called to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
In addition to one documented fight with a teammate and an alleged second fight, Willis was removed from the sideline in Tallahassee after he was penalized for hitting Seminole quarterback Jameis Winston on the sideline. Will Muschamp said after the game, “If I were the coach here he’d be off the team,” when asked about Willis’ actions on the sideline.
Willis did show promise on the field. He is a very gifted, talented athlete who chose Florida over the home state LSU Tigers. Willis’ off the field actions found him in the doghouse with the previous coaching staff but he did finish his freshman season with 14 tackles, one for a loss, one forced fumble (vs. ECU) and one fumble recovery (vs. Eastern Kentucky).
The University Athletic Association released this tweet regarding Willis.
Statement from UAA: Gerald Willis will be transferring from the football program.
— GatorZone Football (@GatorZoneFB) January 6, 2015
I always hate when kids transfer. Seems weird to me. Especially when a kid has so much talent. I apologize, but the kid, IMHO is a freaking chump! He really is. His actions are idiotic and he’ll end up getting in real trouble someday if he doesn’t chill. He has some growing up to do. It would benefit him if he accelerated that process too. Would love to see him turn it around. I don’t know what his circumstances are but, nonetheless, he has to be accountable for himself and needs to have his teammates back. His actions are selfish and don’t help his team. Him going off on folks will turn him into another Suh. Hopefully, he’ll develop, physically and mentally. There are better players to emulate. Go Gators.
Part of the problem is people still keep referring to them as kids. As long as people refer to them as kids they will act as such. Start treating them like everyone else their age “young adults”. That is what they are. Hold them to that standard and they will start to act as such. In this case he needs to grow up and start acting like an adult.
WOW snowflake that was actually pretty insightful….and I would have to agree. I hope this is his wake up call and turns himself around. I don’t want the kid to ruin his future.