Name: Griffen Willis


Nickname: Griff


Year: Sophomore


Position: Nose Guard


Height: 6'2


Weight: 280


Hometown: Austin, Texas


High School: Lake Travis 


Major: Quantitative Economics


What do you want to do after you graduate and why:  I want to commission as a Navy Pilot and serve the country flying F-18 fighter jets. It's always been a calling to go fast and attack the enemy.


Why did you choose Navy: I chose Navy because of the quality of the people that attend this place, to prove to myself that I can do challenging things and to play Navy Football!


What would you tell somebody that is coming to the Navy to play football? Run to the football. Or the coaches will run after you.


If you could play another position, what position would you play and why? Wide receiver because I have better hands than Kendall Evans and could run routes all over Greg Johnson II


If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule, who would you choose and why? I've always wanted to play against UCLA in the Rose Bowl and have a coast to coast match against another great school.


Favorite Class at the Naval Academy and why? Government, because of the amazing instructor I had. I've always been fascinated by politics. 


Hardest Class at the Naval Academy and why? Chemistry. The stories are true. 


Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy? Major Carrier, he was the best teacher i've ever had, taught the subject extremely well.


Favorite form of social media and why? Instagram, gotta look good for the fans ;)


Favorite person to follow on social media and why? Bert Kriescher, he's the machine.
 
If you could have dinner with any 4 people that are currently at the Naval Academy who would you choose and why? I would choose my friend Aidan Heely, a pitcher on the baseball team, Gavin Woods, my teammate, Mason Collins, my boy on the wrestling team and my friend Gabe Gonzales, they all are great guys.


Favorite Sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why? It would have to be Basketball, I was and still am a hooper to this day and could give the team buckets if I stepped on the court.


If you didn't play football at Navy, what sport would you play and why? Basketball, I would dish out dimes and take the defense's lunch money on the court.


What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field? Texas by BigXthaPlug


What is your dream vacation? A nice family vacation in the Maldives relaxing, cruising and joking on a nice sandy beach with Jimmy Buffet and Bob Marley on repeat.


What is the best thing about being in the American Athletic Conference? The opportunities to play against some of the top talent in the country, it's a challenge each week.


What do you think about Army being in the American Athletic Conference? Good. They get to play against a more consistent and tough schedule each week.


Favorite Coach Newberry Quote? Are you going to be an asset or a liability to this football team, you choose?


How would you describe Coach Cronics offense? Not fun to play against.


How would you describe Coach Volkers Defense?  Belligerent and Deadly. 


One word to describe a Navy Football player: Gritty


Who will be the surprise player on offense in 2024: Isaiah Bryant.


Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2024: Job Grant


Who is the toughest player on the Navy Football team? Kenneth McShan and Cody Howard


What player epitomizes Navy Football? Colin Ramos


Who will be the MVP of the offense in 2024? Blake Horvath


Who will be the MVP of the Defense in 2024? Colin Ramos


What are you looking forward to in 2024? Whooping up on some Army mule tail.


Tell us one thing about you that people don't know? I have a unique obsession with the space time continuum  


Tell us one thing about you that would make a good feature story? The diversity and success of my family.
 
If there was a movie about your life what would it be called and who would play you? It would be called: Anchored played by Chris Pratt