Q&A with veteran wide receiver Jacob Willis signed Monday, June 21, 2010

Editors note: Earlier this week, we sat down with rookie receiver Jacob Willis, who was recently signed by the Storm, in the sixteenth edition of In the Eye of the Storm. Willis, a product from the Illinois Fighting Illini, recorded 38 receptions, 643 yards and six touchdowns in his collegiate career. During his senior year, Willis also served as a kick returner and recorded 12 kickoffs for 201 yards.

EDITOR: Mr. Willis, welcome to Tampa! How do you like the city so far?

JACOB WILLIS: I actually lived here for about two years now since college. It’s cool, you can’t beat the weather. The Storm is just a blessing in itself. I tried out for the UFL and that fell through. Coach [Jay] Gruden talked to Coach [Tim] Marcum and I got the opportunity.

ED: That’s the same way Erick McIntosh came onto the team. Did you guys know each other from the tryout?

JW: Yea. We were at the same tryout together.

ED: Look at what our former QB Jay Gruden has done for us! It’s your first time in the arena game. What are your thoughts of the sport?

JW: It’s fun, but a different learning process though because the field is tighter. It’s a receiver league, that’s what I like about it. There are a lot of one-on-one matchups. You can definitely expose someone out here. It’s fast paced too.

ED: You’re showing us some speed out there at practice. What do you clock that 40-yard dash in?

JW: The fastest I have ever done it was 4.38 seconds. In my pro day out of college it was a 4.41. I never really thought I was “fast,” it has always been my quickness.

ED: How does that quickness help?

JW: Just getting in and out of your routes. The DB doesn’t have much room for mistake on that post and corner. He doesn’t have too much recovery time to get back and make the play. That helps with being quick.

ED: You’re entering a wide receiving core that includes veterans such as DeAndrew Rubin, Tyrone Timmons, Hank Edwards and Sedrick Robinson. What type of advice have you received from these guys while adjusting to the game?

JW: The veterans have all been helping me out. They’ve been making me feel like I have been on this team for the entire season. Brett [Dietz] and Drew Weatherford help me out a lot too. I’m learning something new everyday.

ED: You had a stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Tell me a little about that.

JW: It was during training camp. It was a learning experience too. The field is larger than an American football field. I think it helped me with that high motion. I was familiar with that there.

ED: In high school you played both football and baseball, tell me about your play on the diamond.

JW: I played center field and right field. I walked on at Illinois but concentrated on football. I played baseball since I was five. My favorite position was shortstop but they switched me because I was left-handed. My middle brother actually played baseball instead of football and the Braves drafted him out of Junior College .

ED: One thing we noticed in the front office was your work ethic. You came in about two hours early and watched practice film from the night before. How does this help your play and where does this drive come from?

JW: Just seeing the little things. Eventually you will get the plays down. I also watch the DB’s hips and how they move. Eventually you pick up those little things.

ED: What are your hobbies outside of football?

JW: Right now, taking care of my seven-month-old son. That takes up most of my free time. I also like video games. Once Madden comes out, I’ll get everyone on this team in Madden.

ED: Top songs on your iPOD.

JW: I download new music all the time. Let me take out my iPhone (laughter). It has to be T.I., You Know, that one is good. I’m also going to have to go with this new song, Eminem, Almost Famous.

ED: Tell me about your most memorable moment on the football field.

JW: My senior year in college when we faced Ohio State when they were ranked number one. We beat them at their place. I scored a 33-yard touchdown that game. My father went to Ohio State and he played with Archie Griffin. I’ve known Archie for most of my life and he coached at Ohio State. It was a great feeling to go to that place and beat them, especially knowing that my dad is still friends with some of their coaches. I didn’t rub it in their face though because they smashed us for so many years.

ED: What are your goals?

JW: Help this team win, make as many plays as I can. I just want to keep working, have faith in God and not do it for the material things. I want to do it for my family. Both my brothers had the ability to make it in the league but tore their ACL. I’ve been blessed that nothing like that has happened to me. I play for them as well.

ED: Feelings going into this weekend.

JW: Just not getting nervous. I go out everyday and do it in practice. If anything, I’ll be more focused. I also like to play for the crowd and live in the moment. I want to go out there and have fun.

ED: Jacob, thanks for the time. Good luck this season.