Carson Willis: Faith on and off the Field

Freshman Razorback Baseball Player Carson Willis’ Journey Beyond the Game

Feature Story Written by Randi Mendolia

FAYETTEVILLE, Ar. – Trusting in God’s plan for his life, freshman baseball player, Carson Willis, brought his dreams to reality when he became a razorback— but he did not know the roadblocks he would suffer during his freshman year. 

Originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, Willis had always been a razorback fan, especially when it came to baseball.  

Graduating from a baseball academy, Carson Willis was ready for his start at University of Arkansas, but this surprisingly took a turn during the fall season. Getting injured could have been detrimental; however, Willis was able to find an identity past baseball, and through faith. His story highlights resilience, purpose, and redefining success. 

Hot Springs, Arkansas born Willis had jumped from school to school during his high school career; however, this was only for baseball purposes. From Hot Springs, to Bentonville, to Centerton, to South Carolina by himself as a 17-year-old boy, Willis was ready for a lifetime of ball. 

Injury was not a stranger before coming to Arkansas. When Carson was at Rogers Heritage he broke his hamate bone, requiring surgery. This allowed him to step back, and recover, and led him to P27 Baseball Academy in Columbia, South Carolina.

“I had to do everything, cook, clean, laundry, everything.” Willis said about moving to South Carolina by himself, “But it was a great experience, those were the best two years.” 

Willis knew he had to step it up when he went to P27 academy. He was playing with teammates who had already committed, each of them to division one teams. 

“I never quit, but always, I knew my worth. I knew my value.” –Carson Willis

Carson had a dream from a young age, to play for the Hogs. 

“I used to be the kid after the game, going up to the players,” Willis said. “Man, that used to be me.” 

He is living his little kid dream. But what drives him is not his childhood self, it is God. With prayer, Carson was able to elevate his game. 

Willis was already committed to the U of A when he originally tore his labrum in May of 2024. 

“I’ve only pulled myself from a game twice,” Willis said, “One was for my hand, one was for my shoulder.” 

After fixing it up, Willis felt like his “stubborn self rushed back too quickly trying to be ready to play for Arkansas in the fall,” where he ended up tearing it again. 

His latest surgery was in January of 2025, but this experience brought him back to his purpose. He had a lot of questions battling his faith, but through much self-reflection, Carson said God has taught him a lot through this process.

“My goal wasn’t my priority,” Carson said. 

When talking about his testimony, Willis dealt with insecurities growing up in baseball. 

“I dug my grave with comparing, and it ate me up so much, until finally, I just let go,” Willis said. 

Carson talked about his commitment with Arkansas, and his thoughts after Coach Nate Thompson and Head Coach Dave Van Horn called him to offer a spot. 

“The first thing I said was, ‘God did it’,” Willis said. 

Willis explained a lesson from Paul in the Bible about how a baby needs to be nourished with milk, but a grown up must be nourished with food. Which correlated to his feeling of being all in with Jesus. He made the leap, and while he was at P27, he created a Bible study for his teammates with the help of his best friend, Ethan. 

However, going into his first year of college, he told himself he was not going to get caught up with college things, and he did. And he fell off the thirst for Christ. It was not until his labrum injury in late fall of 2025, when he discovered his need for Christ again. He did not understand his injury at first, but he realized it was much bigger than him. 

“God’s using this time for me to get closer to him, Willis said.

Willis mentioned his favorite verse in Proverbs where it says, “The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). This encouraged him during his time of recovery. But his dream of being a major league baseball player did not change. 

What brought Willis most joy, and continues to do so, is working on the Baptism Team at Cross Church’s college ministry, C3. 

“If my sole purpose here is to just see one teammate saved, then it’s fulfilled. And I didn’t see it then, but I see it now, because I was walking through this storm of life.” –Carson Willis

He holds unto verses like Proverbs 16:9 and Psalm 23, but also is strengthened through his community at Cross Church. 

“Being at C3 helps me encompass that God is with me through this struggle,” Willis said. “You honestly find joy in the struggle because of being close with God and being around people who care about you and love you.” 

Carson Willis’ story continues to be written by Christ. After his shoulder recovery, he plans to continue baseball at the University of Arkansas and his ministry work at C3, growing in his relationship with his team and Jesus. His purpose still stands firm in his trials. 

“I am always on mission,” Carson said. “I am always caring about going out and allowing God to do great things through me for other people.” 

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REPORTER’S BIO | Randi Mendolia is a sophomore majoring in multimedia storytelling in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.