Durango's Willis Prepares for NFL Draft After Standout College Career

Former Durango High star Carver Willis has met with nearly 30 NFL teams ahead of the draft.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the overlapping planes and angles of a football player's blocking motion, rendered in a bold, cubist style with a color palette of navy, green, and orange.A cubist interpretation of an offensive lineman's blocking technique captures the dynamic movement and power of a potential NFL prospect.Durango Today

Carver Willis, a former football star at Durango High School in Colorado, is preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft after a successful college career at Kansas State and the University of Washington. Willis has met with around 30 NFL teams and is projected as a potential backup or special teams player at the next level, with scouts noting his strong run-blocking abilities but concerns about his frame for an NFL tackle.

Why it matters

Willis' journey from a standout high school player to a potential NFL draft pick is an inspiring story for the Durango community and highlights the path some small-town athletes can take to reach the professional ranks. His versatility and determination to improve have made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.

The details

After a limited role in his first three years at Kansas State, Willis had a breakout 2023 season and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention. He then transferred to Washington for his final year of college, where he faced challenges like a midseason MCL tear but still earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors after moving from right tackle to left tackle. Willis has been training with former NFL lineman LeCharles Bentley to prepare for a potential career as an interior offensive lineman in the NFL.

  • Willis starred at Durango High School and earned first-team all-state honors his senior year.
  • He played 11 games over his first three years at Kansas State before a breakout 2023 season.
  • Willis transferred to Washington for the 2024 season, his final year of college.
  • Willis competed at the NFL Combine in late February and early March 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for over three weeks from now.

The players

Carver Willis

A former football star at Durango High School in Colorado who is preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft after a successful college career at Kansas State and the University of Washington.

LeCharles Bentley

A former Pro Bowl center who has been training Willis in preparation for the NFL.

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What they’re saying

“I'm feeling good. Training has been awesome. I've learned a lot, and I continue to learn more every day. I'm just getting ready to go to rookie camp and OTAs and all that.”

— Carver Willis

“They teach you a lot of things about the NFL, so you are much more prepared for this kind of seasonal life. But overall, it wasn't necessarily as much as what I learned from UW, as much as it was from the connections and the people I met. The overall experience at UW was incredible.”

— Carver Willis

“Being honest and being yourself is the right way to go about it. I've just been as open and authentic as I can be. In this process, if you're not yourself, it's a disservice to you and to the team. If a team thinks they're drafting a particular person and you're like faking it, then you're putting yourself in a position to fail. You're also putting the team in a position to fail.”

— Carver Willis

What’s next

Willis will participate in rookie camps and OTAs with whichever NFL team drafts him or signs him as an undrafted free agent.

The takeaway

Carver Willis' journey from a standout high school player in Durango to a potential NFL draft pick showcases the determination and versatility required to reach the professional ranks, even for athletes from smaller communities. His willingness to adapt and improve his game has made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.