By Erik Harris
CLAY — Safety Torrence Willis has become the fifth Clay-Chalkville player to make a college decision.
The senior chose the University of West Alabama after a strong individual season on the Cougars’ way to a Class 6A state championship in 2014.
Willis said he chose UWA because when he first got out of the car on campus for a visit, people were chanting his name.
“I was like, ‘This is pretty awesome,’ and I already felt a part of the Tiger family,” Willis said.
Willis said the school offers a “very tremendous” education.
“Education comes first,” he said. “I want to be able to rely on my degree if football doesn’t work or I get injured.”
Willis was a two-year starter for the Cougars in a secondary that was forced to replace four starters following the 2012 season.
“UWA is lucky to have a guy like Torrence,” said fellow Clay-Chalkville defensive back and Memphis commit Kam Prewitt. “He plays with such passion that will make any defense come together and perform.”
Willis along with Prewitt, Izzy Bennett and Jalen Dawson started together in the Clay-Chalkville defensive backfield for two years, the second of which they led the Cougars to 21 interceptions.
Gary Lloyd contributed to this story.