Carver Willis only spent one season at Washington, his final one. It was an intentional transfer to try to get one final year in and help him make the jump to the NFL. He looks to be on that trajectory as he participated in the NFL Combine and helped boost his stock at the Washington Pro Day.
That one year wasn't just a throwaway year for Willis; he called the decision "the best one he's ever made." When talking to the media about his time at Washington, he was visibly beaming and excited to share his experience as a Husky.
Jedd Fisch may need to clip that video and send it to every transfer recruit and maybe even high school recruit. Willis said, "Playing for Washington was the best decision I ever made. I will forever love my time here; it absolutely helped. My time here is something I hold in great regard."
Carver Willis is hoping to hear his name called in the NFL Draft and thanks Washington for it
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When asked what specifically he meant by that, he even pointedly said it was the exposure via the Big Ten. He shook that off and said that Washington trained him to be a pro. It's not just talk with Fisch and Washington, it's reality. "Exposure is great, but the NFL will find you anywhere. If you are living in a ditch and you run a 4.2, you'll probably get a shot, but the relationships I made here and the things I learned here, I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Willis explained that Washington prepared him to be in the NFL and to be a professional. While he didn't throw away his time at Kansas State before he transferred. It was UW that helped push the ball over the goalline, if you will.
Willis is now hoping to hear his name called in the NFL Draft, and he's mostly projected to be a 7th-round pick or a UDFA. However, with a great Pro Day, he may have helped elevate his name. It also doesn't hurt to have Washington next to his card. He knows what it's like to block the best defensive linemen in college football.
NFL teams also know he's coming from a system that helped him be ready for year one. That's going to be big for Willis and his pro prospects. At the end of the day, Carver Willis will never forget Washington and doesn't regret his final transfer and his one year as a Husky.