What's left to say about Drew Willy? The senior quarterback has been a starter since he set foot on campus and is about to re-write the record books for completions, passing yards and completion percentage. The three-time letterman hopes to only expand upon last year's shared claim of the Mid-American Conference Divisional title.
Willy, a calm and cool, collected young man can read a defense with the ease of reading a book. In high school, Willy excelled on the field, leading to his selection for third team All-State in New Jersey. During his time at Randolph High School, he set career marks for passing yards with 5,387 and touchdowns with 51. The multi-talented Willy was a first team All-Area guard as well.
Willy, not setting his sights too far into the future, is focused on the football team's Thursday season opener against University Texas El-Paso (UTEP).
"I am extremely excited and my teammates are excited as well," Willy said. "Like Coach [Gill], we have been working hard through spring ball and it should be a great game."
Willy, who will set the Bulls completion record with his next completed pass, is ready for the challenge that UTEP's exotic defense presents.
"They have a lot of good players from a personnel standpoint and they have a tricky defense. But I think we will be ready for them...it should be a good battle," Willy said.
Willy's greatest assets are that he has the ability to process information quickly, find where the open man in coverage is and fire a picture perfect pass to them. This will be even more evident given the added responsibility Willy has to make checks and audible at the line. With this comes an increase in preparation time in the film room.
"This is the most film I have ever watched," Willy said. "Being more mentally prepared means I will have the ability to play faster."
Willy's team-oriented attitude, smarts and confidence in his teammates have allowed him to become the consummate leader. This was confirmed by his recent appointment as a team captain this year.
As a team captain, Willy feels that there is a very strong need to become closer than ever to his teammates.
"I have played a while with these guys and they have become my best friends out there," Willy said. "Ernest Jackson, Naaman Roosevelt, Brett Hamlin and Gary Rice. Our timing has been excellent and it's an honor to be playing with them."
When asked about individual awards, Willy stressed that he's more concerned with winning games and bringing a MAC Championship to Buffalo.
"I just want to win games and I feel we have the coaches and players to win a MAC Championship," Willy said. "That has been my goal since I got here and the individual awards will fall into place. We just want to win games."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
