Former Sacramento State wide receiver Brett Willis is bringing his talents to a different sport this year.

Willis, senior communication studies major, began playing rugby this semester with no prior experience after playing three years of football for Sac State.

Coming out of high school, Willis was offered a full scholarship to Colorado State where he played a year of football before coming to Sac State.

“One of the coolest things in my life was being able to get recruited,” Willis said.

After a coaching change at Colorado State, Willis became displeased with the new coaches because he did not agree with some of the things they were doing with the team.

“At Colorado State, there was a lot of politics coming in,” Willis said. “They were trying to move everybody around, I saw them mess with other people’s living situations and take scholarships away.”

Originally from Bakersfield, Willis chose to attend Sac State because he did not want to transfer to a school with less football competition.

“I didn’t see any good in staying there football-wise,” Willis said. “My mindset as a 19-year-old was to continue playing college football so I decided to leave and come to Sac State.”

After coming to Sac State however, Willis saw the same political system from which he was trying to get away from.

“I feel like I didn’t get my opportunities (at Sac State). It’s just an ugly fact of life,” Willis said. “New coaches came in, (I) got the short stick, came here, and (I) got the short stick.”

Willis mentioned some promises made by the coaches at Sac State, like playing time and scholarships, that were never fulfilled.

“They told my dad and me some recruiting stuff and none of them were met,” Willis said. “It just ethically sucks.”

Because Willis has played four years of college football, he has become ineligible to play another season with Sac State.

Willis knew during his last football season that he was going to be playing rugby this semester.

There were times Willis wanted to quit football in his senior season because of how he and some of the players were being mistreated by the coaches, but did not because of his teammates.

“I established relationships with the guys on my team here, and I’m not just going to quit and let them down,” Willis said.

“In the back of my mind I already knew what I was going to do. I’m glad it did it.”

Willis decided to become involved in rugby because when he was playing football, things became more routine than fun and that is when he realized he had to find something different. He said at times, he goes home and watches rugby film because he is so intrigued with the game.

“I just started watching rugby, and seriously, I fell in love with it,” Willis said. “It’s a unique sport because you play both sides of the ball. You’re on offense and defense.”

With rugby going all the way back to the 1800s, another thing that appealed to Willis is the tradition of the sport.

“I’m all about tradition,” Willis said. “That’s why I loved college and professional football, and that’s really what intrigued me.”

Tradition is something Willis learned from his father, Danny Willis, who was a high school football head coach. He quit his job because he wanted his son to play for a better program than the one at which he was coaching.

“He didn’t want me to go to his high school because he didn’t like the school he was coaching at,” Willis said. “He sent me to a private school and he became an assistant coach there. He took a step back for me to have a successful football career and it’s something I’m thankful for. I’m really blessed to have a guy like that.”

Though rugby and football look similar, Willis admits that the differences between the two sports is something to which he still getting accustomed.

“One thing you’ll know about rugby is there’s no pads. In my second game, I separated my shoulder and got a concussion,” Willis said. “I can’t dive on the ground like I’m used to because I don’t have that type of protection. But then again, you don’t have all that weight on you and I feel free.”

Willis is able to use some of the physical talents he used in football and apply them to the rugby field.

“One of his biggest strengths on the field is his speed and pure athleticism,” said rugby captain Craig Manno. “He definitely came over in shape and just looking at him, he has a big, tall, physical stature that is already intimidating enough.”

Head coach Mason Gunn uses Willis’ athleticism not only to intimidate opponents, but to also blow by defenders at every opportunity.

“We put him in a position where his job is when he gets the ball, to just turn on the burners and go,” said Gunn. “He’s basically just learning as he plays but he’s a good enough athlete where we can put him in that position.”

The sport of rugby is something that Willis enjoys because of the sport’s differences.

“It’s a mix between football and soccer. You get the viciousness and the violence of football but you also get the finesse like what you see in soccer. It’s really cool. When people understand the game, it really appeals to you,” Willis said.

After playing rugby a little less than two months, Willis admits he still has a lot to learn.

“I’m still getting accustomed to the game,” Willis said. “There was a penalty called on me two games ago, and I had no clue what was wrong and I still don’t. I just like to go out and have a good time.”

You can reach Anthony Honrade at [email protected]