Derrick Willies, we hardly knew ye

IOWA CITY - It's been said it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. But is that true?

It's as if Iowa football fans were set up for disappointment when freshman wide receiver Derrick Willies strongly resembled a game-breaker during two open practices last April.

At the spring game in Kinnick Stadium alone, Willies split and outran a pair of Iowa defensive backs in reeling in a 42-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Beathard. Then, he bounced off a defender after a catch and got a great angle as he zipped for several more yards before being pulled down.

Then, he made a juggling catch on a sideline route, dragging a toe inbounds before falling out of play with a first-down secured. It was a showcase day, to say the least.

This 6-foot-4 talent with sprinter's speed, along with returnees Tevaun Smith and Damond Powell, were going to add the element that Iowa's offense had lacked. Which, as much as anything, is why many believed the Hawkeyes could raise their game a level from last year's 8-win crew that made considerable progress itself.

Expectations weren't dampened a bit in July when Ferentz said Willies had a good head to go with his physical skills. The coach said the player, an engineering major, had a GPA of around 3.0.

'What we've seen over time is that when a player has things together in the classroom it usually translates to the field,” Ferentz said.

'He's a great young man ... He has a bright future ahead of him as long he continues to work.''

At Iowa's media day in Iowa City, Willies came across as a quiet, serious person who didn't lust for attention.

'I don't really go onto social media too much,” Willies said.

But Monday night, Willies was on Instagram with a photo of his sole touchdown catch as a Hawkeye and this message: 'It's been real Iowa, things are just moving on to a different chapter in the story.”

Players come and go in college football. But leaving in midseason isn't the norm.

Beathard called Willies Monday night, asking if he were sure he wanted to leave like this. He said his friend's decision was firm.

'I don't agree with him leaving midseason like that,” said Beathard. 'You've still got five games left. Anything can happen.”

Iowa put out a news release Tuesday morning quoting Ferentz as saying Willies was transferring from Iowa to be closer to his father, who is having health issues. Beathard said Willies mentioned that in their conversation Monday.

Willies moved from his mother's home in Las Vegas to live with an aunt in Burlington. After his junior year of high school, he moved to Rock Island, Ill. His mother made Nic Gieselman of Rock Island his legal guardian.

During his Tuesday afternoon news conference, Ferentz said this about Willies' father: 'I think he's fine. He's got some issues that have been concerning, and my understanding is the prognosis is good, so that's just something that's important to Derrick at this point.”

But there was also this from Beathard: 'I guess he wasn't getting the reps he wanted to get, and that was maybe one of the reasons. But there was a lot of stuff that went into (his decision), I think.”

Fellow receiver Smith caused an Internet buzz by posting 'I wonder who's next ..,” on his Facebook page.

A few reporters corralled Smith as he approached the Iowa football building Tuesday. He said he wasn't suggesting anyone else would be transferring. Asked if he were surprised Willies is leaving, Smith said 'No, not really.”

Four catches, one touchdown. Now Willies is gone.

An offense opened wider because of playmakers in a horizontal passing game? That has yet to arrive here this year.

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