Four-star linebacker according to Rivals.com and a three-star by Scout.com...Listed as the #10 player in South Carolina and #24 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com...#34 weakside linebacker nationally by Scout.com...#22 outside linebacker nationally by ESPN.com...#19 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep...only played for half of his senior season due to a knee injury...all-region 2-A performer...played in the North-South All-Star Game...selected to play in the Max Emfinger All-American Bowl...ran for 702 yards in six games as a senior...he added 89 tackles and 53 assists...three-time state wrestling champion...coached by James Longerbeam in high school...nephew of former Clemson defensive tackle Richard McCullough, who was also a product of Loris High School...recruited by Wide Receivers Coach Dabo Swinney...chose Clemson over Florida, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, NC State, South Carolina, & Tennessee.

Plyler on Willard: "Willard is the kind of linebacker I like because he is also a great high school wrestler. He understands leverage and really loves to compete. He could play any of the linebacker positions after he transitions to the speed of the game."

Reminds Plyler of: Courtney Vincent