Grundy Center alum Wes Willis is gearing up for his first season in the Upper Iowa football program. A 2021 Spartan graduate, he spent three seasons at Northwest Missouri State before transferring to the only Division II program in Iowa.
Willis, a defensive lineman, hopes to bring his skills in leadership and versatility to the table.
“Just being at two different programs now, I know how people run it down there and how they run up here,” Willis says. “I can kind of pick and choose and help out the younger defensive linemen at Upper Iowa, and just my ability to play multiple positions, defensive tackle and defensive end, just to find a way to get on the field.”
In their first season in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Peacocks went 3-8 in 2023, which followed a 1-10 season in 2022. Willis says with an experienced roster and more familiarity within the conference, the program has a great chance to take another step forward this year.
“We only lost three guys and we replaced them pretty well. So the vibe’s been pretty good. We’ve had our biggest summer up there in a long time. We’re talking to the strength coaches and just the coaches up there so I think we’re heading in the right direction. We obviously want to compete in the conference and have a chance to win the conference at the end of the year, which we think is very possible. So that’s our biggest goal right now.”
Willis is following in the footsteps of three immediate family members who also participated in athletics at Upper Iowa University. His father, Jesse, was a member of the football team. His mother, Lori, and older sister, Kylie, both participated in the volleyball program.
“It’s pretty cool with my father and mother and older sister playing there. It’s just cool to see the path they’ve taken and what it was like when they were there and now what it’s like when I’m there.”
Upper Iowa will begin the 2024 season at Division I program Butler on Saturday, August 31.
Wes Willis interview:
