Ex-Rebels LB Patrick Willis Selected to 2023 SEC Football Legends Class

Former Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Patrick Willis is set to receive another honor for his outstanding college football career.

Former Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Patrick Willis was named one of the 14 members of the 2023 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class, the league revealed on Thursday.

Willis and the other members are set to be honored during the 2023 SEC Legends Celebration on Fri., Dec. 1 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Ole Miss announced the news via social media by posting what is arguably Willis' No. 1 play as a Rebel, his perfect tackle against LSU Tigers running back Justin Vincent from Nov. 2005.

Many college football fans consider it the greatest form tackle in the sport's history.

Patrick Willis was DIFFERENT 🐐

SEC Legends, Class of 2023 @PatrickWillis52 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/5ijJ4ZPWi7

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 12, 2023

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. Willis made the case to be the greatest defensive player in Ole Miss history during his four-year career from 2003 to 2006. 

Ole Miss Rebels legend Patrick Willis on the Walk of Champions (2022)

Willis was named to two First-Team All-SEC teams, earned All-American honors in back-to-back seasons, and racked up plenty more hardware in the process. The former Rebel was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year twice and anointed the top linebacker in college football as a senior in 2006, bringing home the Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert Awards.

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. The Conerly Trophy is given annually to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi. 

The Bruceton, Tenn., native would later be selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the San Fransico 49ers. Willis played for eight seasons in the NFL and was just as successful as a professional, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2007 and leading the league in tackles twice (2007 and 2009).