Kansas’ quarterback room will have a decidedly different look when spring practice opens in a couple of months.
Rumors swirled earlier in the day Wednesday that Ryan Willis had decided to transfer from Kansas. A few hours later, the quarterback not only confirmed he was transferring but also announced a destination -- Virginia Tech.Excited to announce that I am transferring from the University of Kansas to Virginia Tech #Hokies pic.twitter.com/obzvkhmELx
— Ryan Willis #1⃣3⃣ (@RyanWillis14) January 12, 2017
According to the Lawrence Journal-World, Willis informed KU head coach David Beaty of his decision during a phone call Wednesday night.
In transferring to Tech, Willis will be forced to sit out the 2017 season. He would then have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2018.
Willis started two games this past season; after throwing three interceptions in each of those mid-October starts, Willis was benched and never played another down for the Jayhawks. In his first season in Lawrence in 2015, Willis set a KU freshman record by throwing for 1,719 yards and nine touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman Carter Stanley took over as the starter for the three last games of the 2016 season and is pencilled in as the starter heading into the offseason. KU also added Peyton Bender, a transfer from Washington State by way of the junior college ranks who’s eligible to play immediately in 2017.