For the second time in less than a week, UCLA has seen its ranks in the defensive secondary thinned.
Citing unnamed sources, BruinSourceOnline.com is reporting that Priest Willis has decided to transfer out of the Bruins football program. No reason was given for the transfer, which will take place at the end of the current academic quarter.
According to the Scout.com website, North Carolina may be a potential transfer destination. Regardless of where he ends up, however, he’ll have to sit out the 2015 season to satisfy NCAA transfer bylaws.
A four-star member of UCLA’s 2013 recruiting class, Willis rated as the No. 6 safety in the country; the No. 1 player at any position in the state of Arizona; and the No. 56 player overall according to Rivals.com. Along with fellow defensive back Tahaan Goodman, Willis was the highest-rated recruit in the Bruins’ class that year.
He didn’t make an immediate contribution to the team, with the recruiting website writing that “admissions issues delayed his enrollment until right before fall camp, instead of before the summer quarter and he never quite got on track.” Last season, Willis played in nine games.
Last week, cornerback Jalen Ortiz announced that he too had decided to transfer out of the football program.