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PHOTO GALLERY The most decorated wide receiver in Charger football history, Tony Willis was a mainstay for the New Haven offense from 1990 to 1993. He’s the all-time leader in all three career receiving categories and among the top three in career points. During Willis’ four seasons, the Chargers advanced to their first-ever NCAA postseason and made it to the National Championship semifinals.
As a freshman, Willis grabbed 13 catches for 330 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged a career-high 25.4 yards per catch as UNH posted a 7-3 record. The Spring Valley, N.Y. native had a breakthrough sophomore season on his way to collecting his first of many postseason honors. Willis tallied 59 catches for 986 yards and 12 touchdowns during the 1991 season. He averaged 16.7 yards per catch and went on to earn All-New England First Team and All-ECAC honors.
Willis continued to improve in his third season at UNH. He became the second UNH receiver to gain over 1,000 yards in a season after grabbing 51 passes for 1,030 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns and helped lead New Haven to its first NCAA postseason appearance. Willis played an instrumental role in the Chargers semifinal run of 1992 as he posted three-straight 100-yard receiving games during the Chargers playoff run. He enjoyed a career day on November 28, 1992 when New Haven hosted Ferris State at the Yale Bowl. Willis connected with quarterback Ken Suhl for a 99-yard touchdown catch, a NCAA postseason record that still stands across all divisions. He also threw a 53-yard touchdown pass as part of the Chargers 35-13 NCAA quarterfinal victory. At the conclusion of his junior season, Willis again earned All-New England and All-ECAC honors. He also became the UNH record holder in career receiving touchdowns and receiving yards during his junior year.
An NCAA Preview Magazine All-America honorable mention selection, Willis posted another record-setting season as a senior. He recorded a career-high 71 catches for 1,074 yards and 11 touchdowns. He grabbed the final New Haven receiving record for the most receptions and became the only player in the storied history of Charger football to enjoy back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Willis again helped lead the Chargers to the NCAA postseason and garnered All-New England First Team and All-ECAC honors.
In total, Willis holds all three career receiving records and ranks fifth in most points scored. He can also be found more than 10 times in the single-season and single-game record books. He finished his career as one of seven players to be named three-time All-New England and All-ECAC honorees.
