Jordan Willis (American football)

Jordan Johnathan Willis (born May 2, 1995) is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Kansas State and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Willis has also been a member of the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints.

Early life
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.

College career
As a true freshman at Kansas State in 2013, Willis played in nine games and recorded a tackle and a sack.

As a sophomore in 2014, Willis started all 13 games and had 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

As a junior in 2015, Willis started all 13 games, recording 36 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

As a senior, Willis was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after recording 52 tackles and 11.5 sacks.

Cincinnati Bengals
Willis was drafted by Cincinnati Bengals in the third round, 73rd overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft.

On September 10, 2019, Willis was released by the Bengals.

New York Jets
On September 11, 2019, Willis was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.

San Francisco 49ers
On October 27, 2020, Willis was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick in 2022. The Jets also sent their 2021 seventh-round pick to the 49ers. He was placed on the injured reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 23, 2020, and was activated nine days later. On January 1, 2021, Willis was placed on injured reserve. He finished the season with a then career-high 2.5 sacks.

Willis re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year contract on March 23, 2021. On June 17, he was suspended for the first six games of the 2021 season after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

On January 22, 2022, in an NFC Divisional Round against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, with wind chill approaching zero degrees, snow falling, and five minutes remaining in the game, Willis blocked a critical punt by Corey Bojorquez, which was returned for the 49ers' sole touchdown of the game by safety Talanoa Hufanga. That play tied the game 10–10 and allowed the 49ers to win on the road with a field goal from Robbie Gould. For that effort, Willis was awarded a game ball by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

On March 23, 2022, Willis re-signed with the 49ers. He was released during final roster cuts on August 30 but re-signed with the team the next day. Willis was placed on injured reserve on September 14. He was activated on November 12.

Las Vegas Raiders
On March 20, 2023, Willis signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was released on August 29. On September 11, Willis signed with the team's practice squad, but was released five days later.

New Orleans Saints
On November 6, 2023, Willis was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints. He was released eight days later.