Like hundreds of collegiate student-athletes, Covid interrupted the plans of redshirt sophomore Trevor Willard.  He was enrolled at Appalachian State, but when players were granted an extra year of eligibility, scholarship funds became scarce as many decided to return for a fifth year.
 
The Reagan High School (Winston-Salem) graduate entered the transfer portal and soon found a home in familiar territory.  Willard was hampered by nagging injuries in his first season at WSSU.  "It was my hamstring, hip, and shoulder, all on my right side," said Willard.  "This year I'm at 100%.  You still get a couple of knick-knacks every week.  You just have to let them heal.
 
"I came here to play," he added.  "That's what I'm gonna do, injured or not.  You have to push through the pain.  You have to do what you have to do."
 
Willard, at 6-5, 235 pounds, is one of the most imposing players on the Rams roster.  He's been playing football since he was five years old.  The growth spurt came at age eight.  "I went through that stage at about eight or nine," he said.  "I was always bigger, faster, and stronger than anyone else."
 
He hopes to increase his weight to between 260 and 265.  "I hope to get it back up," Willard said.  "I took a couple of beach trips over the summer, so I had to get my body ready."
 
It was a gamble committing to WSSU when Head Coach Robert Massey still had the interim tag.  "I heard how great this place is," Willard said.  "Coach Massey is a great coach.  I felt like we connected.  He has the best in mind for the players.
 
"I really thought he would get the head coach's position," Willard continued.  "He has dreams on how to shape and mold this program to get it back to where he wants it."
 
Willard was a standout at Reagan where he holds the school record for the most sacs (36).  "I may also have the record for the most tackles," he added.  "I'm not sure." He played on the varsity team under former WSSU standout Josh McGee, head coach at Reagan.  He earned All-Conference honors three times, team defensive MVP his junior year, and co-team MVP his senior year.
 
He explained his style of play.  "I've always been a contain guy," said Willard.  "You have to be aggressive.  You have to be the first to hit the offensive lineman in the mouth.  You have to chase that ball like someone is chasing you.  You see this narrow path and you know you're gonna get the sac.  It's a great feeling."
 
Willard said it's tougher to get a sac in college football.  "The play develops more quickly than high school. They do quick passes, not like high school."  And the difference between Division I and Division II?  "Other than the schedule I honestly didn't see any difference in the speed of the game."
 
His dad, Dirk, played football and baseball at North Forsyth.  His older brother, Tristan, played baseball at UNCG. "Tristan is two years above me," said Willard.  "He's a much better athlete.  I called him a musclehead when we were younger.  I was upstairs eating Doritos and playing X-box while he was at the gym working out."
 
Like most college players, Willard's goal is to play in the NFL.   "I want a shot at the League," he said.  "That's been a goal since I was very young.  I want to be playing for a paycheck."
 
If it doesn't work out, Willard said there are lots of options.  "Something to do with economics," he said.  "Maybe selling insurance or I might even join my brother in real estate."  And there's always the possibility of seeing him starring in a Doritos commercial on Super Bowl Sunday.