BIOGRAPHY
Jordan Johnathan Willis was born on May 2, 1995, in San Diego, California, United States. He is a defensive end in the National Football League.
Willis attended Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He had 58 tackles and nine sacks as a senior and 60 tackles and 13 sacks as a junior. Willis also served as the Student Body President as a senior.
He committed to Kansas State University to play college football. As a true freshman at Kansas State in 2013, Willis played in nine games and had one sack. As a sophomore in 2014, he started all 13 games and had 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. As a junior in 2015, Willis again started all 13 games, recording 36 tackles and 9.5 sacks. As a senior, he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (Associated Press and conference coaches), first-team All-Big 12 (AP and coaches), Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year (coaches), and AP All-America Third Team.
Willis was drafted by Cincinnati Bengals in the third round, 73rd overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft. On June 8, 2017, Willis signed a 4 year $3.617 million contract with Cincinnati. He played in 16 games, with one start, Willis started at RDE in place of the injured Michael Johnson on September 14 vs. Houston. He totaled 25 tackles on the season, including one sack and four TFLs. He had a season-high five tackles on September 14 vs. Houston, recorded first career sack on Tyrod Taylor in the third quarter on October 8 vs. Buffalo and blocked a punt on October 29 vs. Indianapolis, with the Bengals scoring a FG on the following drive. In 2018 Willis played in 16 games, with one start at RDE on September 23 at Carolina in place of injured Michael Johnson. He totaled 20 tackles on defense along with one PD and one FR. On September 13 vs. Baltimore, recovered a Joe Flacco fumble (forced by S Shawn Williams) as the Ravens attempted a possible game-tying drive late in fourth quarter. He season-high three tackles on October 7 vs. Miami, he also recorded a third-down sack of Case Keenum on December 2 vs. Denver, forcing a Broncos punt.
On September 11, 2019, Willis was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. He was signed In 2021 to the San Francisco 49ers to a 1-year contract.
