Carver Willis transfer portal: Top 5 landing spots for Kansas State OT ft. Oklahoma
Kansas State lost veteran offensive lineman Carver Willis, who entered the transfer portal on Sunday. Willis played 35 games for the Wildcats, including 18 starts.
He was an honorable mention pick for All-Big 12 status in the 2023 season. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound tackle will be an instant focus for teams struggling on the offensive line.
Willis was underrecruited from high school, but his size and experience should command a premium in the portal. Several teams could use his presence immediately on the offensive line.
Carver Willis transfer portal: 5 possible landing stops in portal
5. Houston
After a season at the bottom of the Big 12, the Cougars need help offensively, particularly on the line of scrimmage. The Cougars ranked 129th out of 134 FBS teams in offensive yardage, averaging just 288.1 yards per game. They allowed 33 sacks, and their passers threw nine touchdowns to 17 interceptions.
Solidifying a tackle position with Willis would be an excellent starting spot for the Cougars. The only real issue here is that Willis can probably pick a higher-prestige program at this point.
4. South Carolina
South Carolina (9-3, 5-3 SEC) just missed out on the College Football Playoff. But the Gamecocks have a weakness. They have allowed 39 sacks, which ties for 123rd in FBS. Considering the explosive nature of the Carolina offense, if they could protect LaNorris Sellers a bit better, the ceiling could be even higher.
That could be where Willis comes in. The chance to play for a Southeastern Conference program that is a nationally ranked group nearly approaching the CFP could be big. Willis could be an addition to put USC above the top.
3. Florida State
On the other hand, poor 2-10 Florida State needs all the help it can get. The Seminoles allowed a whopping 49 sacks, the worst in the nation. Mike Norvell has too much talent around to replicate this awful season. But the Seminoles clearly could use some outside help.
Willis could be a big part of the answer. A year ago, FSU allowed 25 sacks. Getting back to positive seasons and bowl games could be as simple as providing better passing blocking. Willis could be a big part of that solution.
2. Colorado
Here's a wild notion. The Colorado kid who all the local programs ignored returns to town to help out. Colorado just missed the playoff, and allowing 39 QB sacks was a part of the problem. The Buffaloes always have a massive intake and outtake of transfer portal guys. Willis could get plenty of attention helping the 2025 team keep good mojo going.
Of course, Colorado will lose plenty of talent. But as long as Deion Sanders is the man in Boulder, more guys will be coming. Willis seems a bit low-key for the whole Coach Prime experience, but he could surprise.
1. Oklahoma
A nationally proud program with a major offensive flaw, 6-6 Oklahoma allowed 46 sacks in 2024 (so far), the third most in the FBS. The Sooners have to get it right quickly or coach Brent Venables will be hunting a new job. Willis might be an immediate answer for the struggling offense.
Oklahoma wouldn't involve a massive geographic move, so the Sooners could be a comfortable destination. Oklahoma seems almost certain to rebound as a program and a year of SEC action could help Willis get noticed by the NFL decision-makers. This move would fit pretty well.
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