Former Ole Miss player Patrick Willis inducted into Pro football Hall of Fame

Patrick Willis became the third Ole Miss player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Thursday night's ceremony.

The week leading up to the Super Bowl sees NFL season awards and a fresh group of players entering their names alongside the past greats in the league.

Former Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis was one player from the group that will have his name enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Willis was one of a group of seven from the class of 2024 that included Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney, Steve McMichael, Randy Gradishar, Devin Hester and Andre Johnson.

Patrick Willis played for the Rebels from 2003 to 2006, making a name for himself as a hard-hitting linebacker. During his four seasons with the team, Willis totalled 265 tackles, leading the Southeastern Conference in two seasons. In his final season with Ole Miss, Willis scooped the Butkus Award, Jack Lambert Trophy, Conerly Trophy and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

A native of Tennessee, Willis was selected by the San Francisco 49ers No.11 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. During his eight years in the league, the fearsome linebacker was named to seven Pro Bowls and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007.

Willis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019, while also a member of the San Francisco Hall of Fame. In 2023, he was part of the Southeastern Conference Football Legends class.

Patrick Willis has had a football career full of accolades. Entering Canton as a Hall of Famer is a big nod to his eight-year NFL career with the 49ers. Willis will be enshrined on Aug.3 in the Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, Ohio.