Brent Venables on Brayden Willis: He's an 'alpha'

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables believes Brayden Willis would make a great addition to any NFL team when his time in Norman comes to an end. A fifth-year tight end for the Sooners, Willis has already set career highs across the board with 20 catches for 312 yards and five touchdowns.

But while Willis has impressed with his athletic ability, it’s his leadership that has stood out most to Venables. In his Tuesday press conference, the coach raved about how Willis has impacted his teammates both by speaking out and setting an example with his work ethic.

“Brayden’s been great,” Venables said. “As good of a leader as we have on our team. Incredibly vocal. He’s an alpha both on the field and off the field. He cares a great deal and he really takes that just caring a little bit more. If everybody cared a little more — coaches, players — you could really tap into our full potential. But he’s what it looks like when it comes to toughness, effort, accountability, discipline. He stands for everything that you want. …You’ve gotta have those things to be successful. Just the right mindset, the right attitude, the willingness to do the work. If he’s done anything, it’s show up with consistency every day. He does the little things over and over and over and over. That’s a hard thing to do, having the discipline to do that. So it’s no surprise and everybody’s noticing.

“Every pro scout that comes through here, they love Brayden Willis. To me, he’s a guy that can change a locker room. Not everybody has that in them, but he does. It’s a very natural gift and one that he uses every single day.”

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An Arlington native, Willis committed to the Sooners in 2018 as three-star recruit and the No. 72 tight end according to On3 Consensus. He played 13 games on special teams as a true freshman before going on to carve out a small role on offense in each of the next three seasons.

This year that role has grown even larger, as his five touchdown catches lead the team and his 312 yards receiving are second only to Marvin Mims. Brent Venables noticed those abilities in Brayden Willis when he arrived on campus this spring, and knew he had to find a way to get him more involved after Austin Stogner transferred.

“Just how athletic he is catching and running,” the coach said. “He runs with power and physicality. The strain that he plays with. He’s a very selfless player. One, players feed off of that. Two, that brings out the best in everybody. He’s a great example for everybody else to follow. Players look to him and respect him and they follow his lead. So to see him show up and do it consistently, that’s a really hard thing. That’s what great players do, and great players are few and far between. And he’s a great one.”

If he keeps it up, Willis’ play this season could earn him late-round consideration in the 2023 NFL Draft in April. But for now, he’ll focus on continuing the finish out the year strong, beginning with a game against Iowa State at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Ames.