'08 IN RB Darius Willis (Indiana Signee)

[LordJeffBuck]

Darius Willis



Running back
Indianapolis Franklin Central

Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 200 lbs
Forty: 4.35 seconds
2006 stats: 1,277 yards, 15 TD's

Darius placed fourth in the state in the 200-meter dash, posting a time of 21.8 seconds.

Rivals - 06/11/07

Interview with Franklin Central head coach, Lance Scheib, in which he discusses Darius's summer visit schedule. Willis has offers from Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue, but he is receiving interest from most of the Big Ten schools.

RP News: Darius Willis

[HotMic]

Scout $

7/25

From the IU site (and my FAVORITE writer John Decker). Interview with Willis' coach. His coach says Willis is not close to a choice and that he thinks Willis would like to stay close to home.

[osugrad21]

Scout $

Good interview with Darius's coach who outlines the way they are limiting the recruiting process by only accepting calls two days per week and not allowing coaches to hurry a decision...Darius also gave up his cell phone. He is considering Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota N.C. State, Virginia and Maryland.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

8/6

More from Darius' coach...focused on Indiana, Illinois, Purdue and Notre Dame. Made unofficials to Penn State, Maryland, Virginia, Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee this summer. Has offers from Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota.

[PSU42Fan]

Uhh...when did Willis come to Penn State this summer? That's the first I've heard of that.

I knew he was thinking about going, but no one...and I mean no one...from any Penn State community has mentioned that it actually happened.

[wadc45]

His coach says he made an academic visit to PSU...FWIW. Regardless, PSU has not offered.

[wadc45]

Attitude adjustment | IndyStar.com

August 16, 2007

Franklin Central's Darius Willis improves work ethic, becomes highly recruited running back

By Michael Pointer
michael.pointer@indystar.com

Lance Scheib's message to Darius Willis wasn't exactly a welcoming one at first.

The Franklin Central High School football coach was disappointed in the talented transfer's work ethic last summer. Scheib told Willis he might be better off at Howe, his old school.

"I think he had always relied on athletic ability," Scheib said. "Coming here, he couldn't do that."

Continued...

[wadc45]

Franklin Central 33, Bloomington South 20 | IndyStar.com

September 1, 2007

By Jess Huffman
Star correspondent

Franklin Central's Darius Willis was everything advertised and possibly a little bit more Friday against visiting Bloomington South.

The senior running back racked up 252 all-purpose and four touchdowns, leading the Flashes to a 33-20 victory over the Panthers in a battle of unbeaten Conference Indiana team.

"Darius Willis was pretty special tonight," Franklin Central coach Lance Scheib said. "He works awfully hard, and I'm just happy to see him rewarded because he's a team-first guy."

Willis rushed for 125 yards, had 70 return yards and caught three passes for 57 yards.

Continued...

[wadc45]

Franklin Central 27, Southport 7 | IndyStar.com

Peebles also was impressed with his defense, which held Franklin Central star running back Darius Willis to 104 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. In the Flashes' victory a week earlier over Perry Meridian, Willis had 216 yards rushing and five TDs.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

9/26

From the Indiana site...as usual, from the mouth of Darius' coach...missed his unofficial visit to Indiana this past weekend because he was sick. Down to Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Michigan (all offered except the last three).

[osugrad21]

Rivals $

Darius loved his visit to Purdue but will take other visits to compare schools. He will likely decide in late December.

[wadc45]

Scout $

10/5

By John Decker...some new schools are looking to get involved with Darius, including Auburn, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State and Texas A&M, but his coach [who has a strangle-hold on his recruitment] says Darius remains focused on only Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

12/2

From the Indiana site...coach says he is focused on Purdue, Indiana, Kentucky and Boston College and Darius will visit each. The only other school they are talking to that might get his fifth visit is Ohio State, who his coach says Darius will not visit unless they offer.