UTEP’s undersized spark plug: Eric Willis III brings quickness, return value, and playmaking grit
In the 2025 season, Eric Willis III gave UTEP a versatile offensive jolt, finishing with 26 catches for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns while also contributing in the return game. At 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, he wins with burst, toughness, and separation ability rather than size, and his prior production at California (PA) shows he can be a high-volume, high-end target. The appeal is clear: he’s a sneaky-dangerous space player who can tilt field position and create after the catch, even if he’s more of a fit for a quick-strike, movement-based offense than a jump-ball heavy one.
