Today’s 2026 NFL draft profile is on former Kansas State transfer and Husky starting LT Carver Willis. The one-year starter on Montlake was a key addition to an offensive line that made a dramatic turnaround from year one to year two under head coach Jedd Fisch. As a seasoned veteran, Willis brought stability and a workman like professionalism to a group that desperately needed it. While his tenure at UW was short, his impact was profound and surely helped his future prospects at the next level.
The Basics
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 303 lbs
Arm Length: 32 1/2”
Hands: 9 1/2”
40 Yard Dash: 5.11
Vertical Jump: 26.5”
Broad Jump: 9’0”
*All measurements & testing per the NFL Combine
Recruitment
Willis was a middling recruit from Colorado during the 2020 HS recruiting class. The 247sports composite rankings had him listed as a top 10 recruit out in Colorado but just the #82 OT and #995 overall prospect nationally. Listed at 6-5 & 260lbs as a senior, Willis had a projectable frame but lacked the physical make up that most P4 programs often look for in a priority OL recruit. As such, Willis ended up committing to Kansas State, his only P4 offer, over Colorado State, New Mexico State, and Wyoming. Fun fact, as a member of Kansas State’s 2020 HS recruiting class, Willis joined the Wildcats in the same class as future K-State and Ohio State starting QB Will Howard.
College Career
Once at Kansas State, Willis quickly latched on as an up-and-comer. In the 2020 COVID season, Willis was the only true freshman offensive lineman to see the field in a reserve capacity. Despite that early action in 2020, Willis took his redshirt in 2021. In 2022 he returned to the field in a reserve capacity and then finally broke into the starting line up in 2023. During that 2023 season he started the majority of the season at right tackle, earning himself honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. That success earned him the starting right tackle spot and a team captaincy for the Wildcats in 2024.
At the completion of his 5th season in Manhattan, KS, Willis jumped into the Transfer Portal in search for a program that could put the finishing touches on his development prior to heading to the NFL. At that point in time, Willis wasn’t garnering much NFL attention, so another solid year of development, as well as a potential switch to left tackle, was all that was left to round out his resume. The promise of a look at LT was what landed Willis at UW in the Spring of 2025.
At UW, Willis immediately seized control of the LT position and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as our primary starter. Willis’s performance at LT helped the offensive line slash their sacks allowed by nearly half (39 in 2024 to 24 in 2025) while also paving the way for a significantly improved rushing attack (1,674 rushing yards on 3.9 YPC in 2024 to 2,151 on 4.6 YPC in 2025).
Strengths
- Experience & Technical Development
- Athleticism/Movement Skills
- Well-Rounded in Run & Pass
- Multi-Positional Versatility
As a 6-year player with 28 starts and 45 overall games played, Willis brings a depth of experience and technical consistency that is most OL prospects lack these days. Paired with his physical development and natural movement skills, Willis is a safe projection. He marries his technique to his physical strengths better than most, leveraging his agility to protect the QB on an island on the edge, as well as executing reach blocks and second level blocks in space when on a run play. He has the athleticism to execute every type of block, but he generally performs best in zone blocking schemes.
Weaknesses
- Sub-Optimal Size/Length
- Lacks Power & Core Strength
Willis’ biggest weakness is his lack of defining athletic qualities. At 6-5 and 303 lbs, Willis has adequate size and athleticism, but his size and strength are more limitations than advantages. In his final season at UW, it was evident that much of Willis’ success was a result of better technique and experience rather than pure talent. This was adequate while playing against most college competition, but there were also times when more talented, or more powerful opponents, that there was a limit to his technical advantage. As a one-time undersized HS recruit, it’s safe to say that while he’s physically developed over the course of his long collegiate career, he is probably closer to his athletic ceiling than most of his draft eligible peers.
His sub-optimal arm length likely limits Willis’ NFL projection to the iOL positions with upside as a backup swing tackle if necessary. However, his size and strength concerns, when paired with his limited physical upside, may also limit his projection on the interior where opposing defenders will have strength/power advantages on most downs.
NFL Comparisons/Mock Draft
Overall, the consensus opinion is that Willis is likely a high-floor/low-ceiling prospect with anywhere from a day 3 (4th-7th round) to priority UDFA projection. His experience and long track record of solid performances at left and right tackle give him swing tackle versatility that should be attractive to many teams as a depth option. However, his upside may be limited to being a backup or emergency starting option on the interior.
