Ken Willis, James Madison DB: the 2026 season story
Ken Willis is a defensive back for James Madison (Sun Belt). He ranks 108th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. Ken Willis's strongest measure is passes defended per game at 0.82, 40th of 921 (the average is 0.31). His weakest is tackles per game at 3.2, 524th of 921 (the average is 3.7).
Season production
Why it matters. Totals reward staying healthy and getting the ball; per-game numbers show how much he really carries each week. His tackles per game, 3.2, ranks 524th among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive back
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of defensive back he is. Among ranked defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 43rd percentile for volume, 74th for efficiency and 78th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 9 games, Ken Willis's best came in week 3 at San Diego State and his quietest in week 5 against Marshall.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. Ken Willis is 90th of 921 FBS defensive backs and 12th of 102 in the Sun Belt. Next up nationally is Aydan West of Minnesota, 0.01 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. Past seasons show whether this year is a breakout, a steady climb or a step back. This is his best season by the Player Index so far, out of 2 we have.
Defensive backs like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Avery Demery of Louisiana.
