Everyone loves a backup running back
It’s time to start preparing for the 2024 Syracuse Orange football season. We’re going through the roster to take a look at each Syracuse player as we get to know a lot of new faces to kick off the Fran Brown Era.
Next up is…
Name: Yasin Willis
Position: Running Back
Year: Freshman
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Hometown: Newark, NJ
High School: St. Joseph Regional
2023 stats: Ran for 682 yards and 13 touchdowns in his senior year of high school.
2024 projections: It’s always impressive when a true freshman can seemingly crack the two-deep. That seems to be the case for Willis, who projects to be the primary backup to LeQuint Allen. His different bruising running style could provide a nice and unique change of pace for opposing defenses to adjust to.
How’d he get here?: Willis was originally a Pitt commit. He also had offers from major Power Five schools like Alabama, Michigan and Penn State, among others.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Four stars and the No. 2 player in NJ by Rivals, three stars everywhere else.
Money Quote: A peek into the pitch that Fran Brown poses for recruits (via Adam Friedman – Rivals):
“I was surrounded the whole weekend with guys like me and from where I come from,” Willis said. “With guys like that, who have a better understanding of what’s going on, I felt comfortable. Coach Fran made it feel like it was home.”
Twitter feed: @willisyasin6
Instagram feed: @yasin6willis
Interesting nugget o’interest: There are quite a few sporting alumni from St. Joseph Regional High School. For us, none more so important than current USMNT starting goalkeeper Matt Turner
Let’s get a look at ya: