The running back for the University of Hawaii was found dead Saturday morning, in what appeared to be a drowning off Sandy Beach.
21-year-old Willis Wilson was reportedly in a group of three men and two women wading in the low water early this morning, according to a report from the Honolulu Fire Department. The five realized that Wilson was no longer in sight at about 4:30 a.m. Authorities, including the State Coast Guard, arrived at the scene shortly after. Wilson's remains were found a few hours later.
Wilson, who played the same position at the University of Washington for three years, switched over to the University of Hawaii earlier this year.
"We are very saddened by the news of Willins' passing," head of the UH Athletics Department Norm Chow told the Star Advertiser. "He was a very fun-loving young man, who was well-liked by his teammates. He overcame some obstacles in his life and he was the perfect lesson to our team to never quit."
Wilson, a native of Pearl City, previously received the Brian Stapp Special Teams Scout Player of the Year award during his time at UW.
When he spoke of his duties for the coming year, Wilson said that he couldn't "predict the future."
"I take it one day at a time," he stated at the time. "I love it here."
