Former Ole Miss Star Patrick Willis Named to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Patrick Willis is a Hall of Famer.
The former Ole Miss Rebels and San Francisco 49ers linebacker was named to the prestigious fraternity on Thursday night, and his alma mater celebrated as a result. You can view the program's post on social media here.
San Francisco 49ers former player Patrick Willis before the game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Willis, a native of Bruceton, Tenn., played for Ole Miss from 2003-06 before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers No. 11 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, after which he spent his entire eight-year pro career in San Fran.
While in college, Willis accumulated 177 solo tackles and a whopping 265 total tackles alongside six sacks and two forced fumbles.
He registered 732 solo tackles, forced 16 fumbles and intercepted eight passes while in the pros. He is already a member of the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame, and he was named to seven Pro Bowls and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007.
The Ole Miss legend was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019, becoming one of 10 Rebels to be admitted as a player or coach, and was also part of the 2023 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class. Willis led the SEC in tackles twice, was named a consensus All-American his senior year, and was awarded the Conerly Trophy that same season.
