Willis ready to make impact

After taking a break from football, defensive lineman seeks rebound

CORAL GABLES Though it was muggy and he’d just worked through the tediousness of yet another spring practice, defensive tackle Gerald Willis couldn’t help but smile as he made his way off the field.

Any discomfort he and his teammates might have felt as the Hurricanes wrapped up the final workout before their first scrimmage of the spring was mitigated by the fact that Willis was there, competing, participating and moving forward.

Last July, there were questions about whether Willis — who has had his share of troubles both at Miami and at Florida, where he previously played — would find himself back on the field, in that spot.

Ahead of Miami’s appearance at the ACC’s annual kickoff event, the school issued a brief statement saying Willis — then a redshirt junior — was taking a leave of absence from the Hurricanes football team and would miss the 2017 season.

Miami coach Mark Richt made it a point to note that Willis remained a part of the Hurricanes family and would be able to participate in select activities when he returned.

That return came a few weeks later as the Hurricanes were preparing for their season opener. The welcome that came with it has, to this day, stuck with the now 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman.

“When I first got back, they had a team meeting, I came in and everybody got on their feet and clapped,” Willis said Thursday. “I just felt so welcome and so good to be back.”

As Miami looks forward to a new season, the Hurricanes are counting on Willis to be a contributor.

Miami’s defensive line graduated veteran