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So, here we are again.
The college football world is spinning on a dime, and nobody seems to be able to keep up with the transfer portal.
Just when you think you have your quarterback situation figured out for the season, someone makes a decision that changes the landscape of the entire conference.
Recently, the news broke that quarterback Jedrick Wills was leaving his home state of Tennessee to head out to Texas Tech.
Honestly, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense, but it still feels a little crazy to think about a quarterback wearing the Red Raiders jersey instead of the Volunteer orange.
It’s wild how fast things move now.
It used to be that you stayed at the school you committed to, fought through the growing pains, and hopefully came out the other side.
Now? It feels like a free agency period for students.
And while it might seem cold to some, for a young player looking to maximize their potential and get on NFL scouts’ radars, it’s a calculated risk. And this is where things get interesting.
Jedrick Willis… And this is where things get interesting.
wait, Jedrick Wills.
Sorry about that, brain fart.
He’s the kind of talent that can absolutely thrive in the right system, and I think Lubbock might just be that right system for him right now.
The Tennessee Years
And let’s be real, he had a pretty solid run in Knoxville.
He was a four-star recruit, so the hype was already there when he arrived.
He didn’t just sit there and rot on the bench, either.
He got his opportunities, and he took them. Now think about that for a second.
The pressure of playing in the SEC is…
well, it’s immense.
You have to deal with massive crowds, media scrutiny, and defenses that are athletic freaks.
It’s not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.
Looking back at his 2022 season, you could see flashes of the player he is supposed to be. Here’s the interesting part.
He has a big arm, which you always want to see in a signal-caller.
He can throw the ball downfield with velocity that makes you stand up and take notice.
There were games where he looked completely in control, making reads that most guys his age wouldn’t even dream of making.
But there were also those moments where you’re watching the tape and thinking, ‘Okay, if he just cleans up this one mechanic or makes a better decision here, he’s going to be special.’
2022 Highlights
- Strong passing efficiency in several SEC matchups.
- Demonstrated the ability to extend plays with his legs.
- Threw for over 2,000 yards in his tenure as a starter.
- Showed poise in the pocket despite heavy rush.
It is important to note that the team around him wasn’t perfect.
Sometimes you can be a great quarterback and still lose games because the offensive line can’t block worth a lick, or because the running game is struggling to establish a rhythm.
That takes a toll on a young player.
I think a lot of people forget how much mental fatigue comes with being a QB.
You’re making calls, checking off, and dealing with the chaos.
Leaving that environment for something new…
it probably feels like a vacation, even if the work is just as hard.
Why Texas Tech?
And this is where things get interesting.
But why Texas Tech? Why leave the power of the SEC for the Big 12? Well, it comes down to fit.
Texas Tech has always been an air-raid offense kind of school, or at least they try to be. Here’s the interesting part.
They want to throw the ball all over the place.
And honestly, Wills is built for that.
He has the arm talent to sling the ball deep.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel; you just have to give the guy the ball and let him do what he does best.
Plus, there’s something to be said for a fresh start.
Sometimes, you need to get away from the ghosts of past seasons or the expectations of the fanbase.
At , you start with a clean slate.
No one remembers the interceptions from last year because last year doesn’t matter anymore.
You are Jedrick Wills, the new hope, the savior, the guy who can take them to a bowl game.
That kind of confidence is invaluable.
It’s a confidence he might not have fully had in Knoxville, simply because the bar was set so incredibly high.
The System Fit
I’ve been following the coaching changes at closely, and it seems like they are trying to build something special there.
They want to get back to that wide-open style of football that fans love to watch.
It’s exciting, actually.
Watching a QB throw for five hundred yards a game is way more entertaining than watching a ground-and-pound slugfest that ends in a 13-10 squeaker.
Wills has the physical tools.
He’s tall, he’s strong, and he can generate velocity.
But mechanics are everything.
If his mechanics break down under pressure, he throws ducks. But there’s a catch.
But if he can stay clean…
oh boy.
He can be dangerous.
The transition to the Big 12 is going to be different than the SEC, though.
The defense in the Big 12 isn’t necessarily as physical as the SEC, but the speed of the game is different.
It’s faster in a different way.
You have to be able to process information quickly.
Analyzing His Game
Let’s dig a little deeper into what makes Jedrick Willis…
I mean Wills, a compelling prospect.
First off, his mobility.
He isn’t a runner like a Lamar Jackson or a Anthony Richardson, who can literally outrun a defense.
But he can move around in the pocket.
He knows how to slide, he knows how to evade a rusher just enough to buy a second or two.
That extra second is where magic happens.
When you watch the film, you see that he has a decent amount of zip on his balls.
It’s not just a floaty ball that hangs in the air for defenders to catch.
He can throw a bullet to a tight end across the middle or a deep out to a wide receiver running a post route.
That kind of arm talent is rare.
Most guys his age are still learning how to put touch on the ball.
However, and this is a big however, his decision making needs to improve.
I saw some plays where he held the ball too long.
He trusts his arm too much, maybe? It’s a common issue for young QBs. Now think about that for a second.
They see a guy open, so they throw it, but they don’t see the defender coming from the blind side.
It’s a fine line between being aggressive and being reckless.
If he can learn to slide those pockets better and get rid of the ball a split second earlier, he’s going to be a nightmare for defenses.
Mechanics and Potential
So, what does this mean for his NFL stock? If he stays healthy and produces big numbers at , he could be looking at a late round pick or maybe even a mid-round pick if he impresses scouts enough.
NFL scouts love college quarterbacks who can operate a pro-style offense, but they also love guys who can sling it.
Wills is a hybrid of both.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
It’s a big jump to go from SEC to Big 12.
The competition is still good, don’t get me wrong, but the level of play varies from team to team.
He’s going to face some stiff competition in the conference, especially from teams like and .
If he can navigate that schedule without too many hiccups, he’ll be in a great spot.
The Future Awaits
I think the best part about this whole situation is that it feels like a win-win for everyone involved.
Tennessee gets a chance to reload and find a new leader in the huddle.
They have to move on, and that’s part of the business.
And Jedrick gets to be the guy again.
He gets to be the alpha.
And when you’re an alpha, you play better.
Simple as that.
There is also the NIL factor, which is huge. Now think about that for a second.
Playing in Texas definitely opens up some doors for exposure and potential deals.
Being a quarterback in the state of Texas is a goldmine for marketing.
It’s just good business sense all around.
It makes me think about my own days watching college ball…
back when they didn’t have all these transfer rules.
It feels different now.
It feels more calculated.
But you can’t blame these kids for looking out for themselves.
If a school isn’t going to win, or if the fit isn’t right, why stay? You only get one college career, after all.
And this is where things get interesting.
Conclusion
And this is where things get interesting.
So, here we are.
Jedrick Wills is a Red Raider.
I know, I know, it’s a lot to process.
But if you look at the talent, it just makes sense.
He has the arm, the mobility, and the drive to succeed. Oddly enough,
Now it’s up to him to put in the work.
It’s up to him to prove that he made the right choice.
I’m personally excited to see what he can do in that offense.
There is a lot of potential there, and I think the fans in Lubbock are going to love watching him play.
At the end of the day, college football is about the players.
It’s about their journey and the story they tell on the field.
And Jedrick Willis…
sorry, Wills.
His story is just getting started.
And frankly, I think it’s going to be a pretty good one.
So keep your eyes on him next season.
I have a feeling we’re going to see some fireworks.
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