Willis III Named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Redshirt senior defensive lineman Gerald Willis III was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday.

Willis III, playing in his first game since Nov. 2016, started and delivered a dominant outing against the LSU Tigers in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium.

Willis III posted a career-high eight tackles in his first start (four solo). He recorded an eye-popping 4.0 tackles for loss, marking the first such performance by a Hurricane since 2008.

Playing against his hometown team, Willis III, a New Orleans native, had one sack, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry in a masterful effort.

Willis III and sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Garvin (3.0 tackles for loss) became the first Miami duo to each record 3.0 tackles for loss in one game since the 2016 season opener against Florida A&M – Mark Richt’s first game as head coach at Miami.

Willis’ eight tackles were tied for second-most among all Hurricanes in Sunday’s 33-17 setback to LSU.

The Miami Hurricanes open their home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 8 against Savannah State. Kickoff for the matchup, set for broadcast on ACC Network Extra, 560 WQAM, 990 AM ESPN Deportes and WVUM 90.5 FM, is set for 6 p.m. ET.