Brayden Willis-TE-Oklahoma, 7th Round, 2023 Draft

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Luckycharms:
Loved this pick. Can play all over, had over an 80 pff run blocking and pass blocking grade. Is a decent rout runner, averaged 7.2 yards after catch. Can be a red zone threat. Def glad we double dipped at TE, not a big fan of the Latu pick

I was going to say, I might like this guy better then Latu. Really good route runner, smooth hands and hates going down (like Kittle).

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
I wanted them to double dip and they did :-). I don't think he makes the roster initially, but you never know. I like the potential. Push both Woerner and Dwelley off the roster.

It was mentioned that you would line up on occasion at fullback. Is that accurate and how did that come to be?
"I really haven't played any fullback unless you count me being in the wing as a fullback in Oklahoma. I've been in the wing, I've been in the snip for a little bit just for specific run plays. Like I said, I can do it. I'm a football player, so it's not hard to pick up. I can do it, I'm good at it and I'll do whatever they want me to do. It just kind of came by me being versatile. I can do a lot of different things that football players can and that's kind of how it came about. I'm excited to be able to do a whole bunch of different things and be a chess piece they can use. I'm excited."

George Kittle gets this maniacal joy from blocking, from moving a man from point A to point B. On tape, you're a really good blocker as well. How would you characterize your passion for that physical part of the game?
"I really think you just said it. Moving another man from point A to point B without him wanting to be moved, I think that's the best feeling in the world. It's just as good as scoring a touchdown. When you're able to move someone against their will, it's the best feeling. The joy he gets from it, that's the same joy I get from it. It's the violent nature of the game and I think if you're a fan of the violent nature of the game, the physicality and everything, I think you get a joy out of that too. Like I said, I think we're both fans of the violent, physical nature of the game and that's why we love to do stuff like that."

You averaged 7.2 yards after catch. How excited are you to go to the 49ers and be with George Kittle, WR Deebo Samuel, RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Brandon Aiyuk who are known for their YAC?
"As my career has gone on in Oklahoma, I learned to do the yards after catch thing. Each practice, we did it. Caught the ball in practice and practiced my moves after the catch and everything. I'm excited to learn from all those guys because they're great in YAC. I'm excited to learn from all those guys, pick up some tips and tricks they have that made them so successful in college and in the league and just make me a better player. That's the biggest thing. I want to learn, I want to be a better player and I want to be able to contribute on a bigger scale. That's the biggest thing I'm excited for."

Originally posted by SolRebe1:

Originally posted by fanmusclecars:
Highlight wise I like his better than Cam Latu.

Lol. I was thinking the same thing.

Originally posted by NCommand:
"31 teams are gon' pay!"

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
Shanny still losing sleep about the whole Jalen Hurd debacle and needs redemption (may have found it)

Originally posted by pdc20:
The sad thing with Jalen Hurd is that in pre-season he was really, really good. And apparently him and Deebo were great in training camp before their rookie seasons. Unfortunetaly, injuries happened.

Brayden Willis seems really interesting. Maybe he will have the same trajectory as Jauan Jennings. A redshirt year and then he would make an impact in his second season.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NCommand:
"31 teams are gon' pay!"

"246 mistakes!"

Originally posted by KiwiM3:
Kyle must fall in love watching this kind of blocking effort

One of my favorite late Day 3/UDFA players in this class is Oklahoma TE/FB Brayden Willis (No. 9)

6'3, 240 and he's a fantastic blocker.

No. 2 graded pass blocker in CFB by @PFF + No. 10 graded run blocker. pic.twitter.com/rrmlqnbeVT

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 31, 2022

Originally posted by Nastastical:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
I wanted them to double dip and they did :-). I don't think he makes the roster initially, but you never know. I like the potential. Push both Woerner and Dwelley off the roster.

I think Woerner may be gone soon with these new additions. I think we carry 4 TE's, and that last spot will come down to Woerner or Willis. I think Dwelley has the support of the coaching staff, so he's probably safe... probably

Originally posted by Giedi:
Juszczyk 2.0

It was mentioned that you would line up on occasion at fullback. Is that accurate and how did that come to be?
"I really haven't played any fullback unless you count me being in the wing as a fullback in Oklahoma. I've been in the wing, I've been in the snip for a little bit just for specific run plays. Like I said, I can do it. I'm a football player, so it's not hard to pick up. I can do it, I'm good at it and I'll do whatever they want me to do. It just kind of came by me being versatile. I can do a lot of different things that football players can and that's kind of how it came about. I'm excited to be able to do a whole bunch of different things and be a chess piece they can use. I'm excited."

George Kittle gets this maniacal joy from blocking, from moving a man from point A to point B. On tape, you're a really good blocker as well. How would you characterize your passion for that physical part of the game?
"I really think you just said it. Moving another man from point A to point B without him wanting to be moved, I think that's the best feeling in the world. It's just as good as scoring a touchdown. When you're able to move someone against their will, it's the best feeling. The joy he gets from it, that's the same joy I get from it. It's the violent nature of the game and I think if you're a fan of the violent nature of the game, the physicality and everything, I think you get a joy out of that too. Like I said, I think we're both fans of the violent, physical nature of the game and that's why we love to do stuff like that."

You averaged 7.2 yards after catch. How excited are you to go to the 49ers and be with George Kittle, WR Deebo Samuel, RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Brandon Aiyuk who are known for their YAC?
"As my career has gone on in Oklahoma, I learned to do the yards after catch thing. Each practice, we did it. Caught the ball in practice and practiced my moves after the catch and everything. I'm excited to learn from all those guys because they're great in YAC. I'm excited to learn from all those guys, pick up some tips and tricks they have that made them so successful in college and in the league and just make me a better player. That's the biggest thing. I want to learn, I want to be a better player and I want to be able to contribute on a bigger scale. That's the biggest thing I'm excited for."