I don't know all the facts surrounding his departure and opportunity to return.
Even though it is speculation there appears to be some consensus, or at least a commonly offered reason, as to why he left, that is:
Willies left the team because of lack of playing time
For the sake of argument, let's stipulate that this was indeed the reason Derrick Willies departed, Now let's establish some facts:
1. At the time of his departure, Derrick Willies was a freshman.
2. At the time of his departure, Derrick Willies had played in 5 of the 7 games in which he was eligible.
3. At the time of his departure, Derrick Willies was playing behind Kevonte Martin-Manley. At this time, KMM was a senior member of the team and one of the leading receivers in Iowa football history.
4. At the time of his departure, Derrick Willies was playing behind Tevuan Smith. At this time, TS was a junior member of the team with 10 starts and action in 29 games.
5. At the time of his departure, Derrick Willies was playing behind Demond Powell. At this time, DP was a senior member of the team with action in 20 games.
6. At the time of his departure, Derrick Willies was also playing behind Jacob Hillyey, a junior and Matt VandeBerg, a sophomore.
7. At the time of his departure, Derrick Willies was playing ahead of several other players on the team including, but not limited to, Riley McCarron, Derrick Mitchell, and Andre Harris.
If you agree with the above facts, I would argue that
a. The coaches were giving Derrick Willies playing opportunities by virtue of the fact that he had played in 5 of the first 7 games of his college career. Further, that an argument that Derrick Willies was not given playing time is misleading if not false.
b. Kevonte Martin-Manley had earned and deserved to play ahead of Derrick Willies.
c. Tevuan Smith had earned and deserved to play ahead of Derrick Willies.
d. Damond Powell had demonstrated sufficient ability, talent, and skills to earn playing time. Further, that Powell's additional game experience warranted playing time ahead of Derrick Willies,
At this point, an argument can be made I suppose that Derrick Willies deserved playing time ahead of Jacob Hillyer and Matt VandeBerg - even though both players had more game experience.
Assuming for the sake of argument that, based on a "talent" argument, Willies did deserve playing time ahead of Hillyer and VandeBerg, my question is this: why not continue to fight and earn it instead of quitting before the last 5 games have been played?
Why not? Hundreds of talented college freshman players were in the exact same situation as Derrick Willes, some without the benefit of any playing time at all.
Freshman players do not have the right to demand playing time halfway through their first season, You earn it. If Willies shows up at Texas Tech with a "play-me-or-else" attitude, I would expect the same result.
Several of his classmates, including Derrick Mitchell -also a talented football player- had zero games played at the time Willies walked away. Mitchell didn't quit. You could name at least two dozen other players who believed they should play -but handn't -yet they did not quit. Let's call it what it is:
Derrick Willies is not a victim. He is a quitter.
