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By Bill West

Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 9:30 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2012

This past summer, Ford City senior Devan Willyard traveled from one football combine to another in an effort to generate college interest.

His offseason activity, specifically a stellar showing at a combine in Canton, Ohio, in late June, earned him a spot in the second annual Blue-Grey All-Star Classic on Jan. 12 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

But the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Willyard began to worry about his college outlook after defenses contained him during the first two weeks of the season. He knew schools such as Kent State and Akron — institutions he recently visited — would desire better numbers.

Fortunately for the senior, the struggles were short-lived. In a Week 3 overtime win over Summit Academy, he rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 92 yards and a score. He thrived again during last week's win over Southmoreland.

Willyard, a running back and defensive back, leads the team in rushing (53 carries for 382 yard, five touchdowns) and receiving (18 catches for 228 yards and three touchdowns).

Q: How'd it feel to finally have that big performance in Week 3?

A: After the first couple games and not doing too much, it was a very big relief.

Q: How is the recruitment process going? Is it stressful?

A: I just don't want anything on my mind during the season. I don't want to be thinking about going to college, like where I'm going and how it's going to be. I'm just worried about this season because the team needs me. So I can't be distracted.

Q: Have you put together highlight tapes? How does that work?

A: I made one myself from my sophomore year. And then I sent my junior year games into my recruiting website, (National Collegiate Scouting Association), and they made like a professional one.

Q: When you send it to someone else, do you get to critique it before it's finalized?

A: No, they make it, and that's how it is. So far it's been good.

Q: What's one sport you don't play but you wish you did?

A: I quit baseball last year. I kind of miss it. I played my whole life. I wish I could go back to it — I want to. But I'm torn between that and javelin because last year I did so good in javelin, and I want to work on that.

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