Ex-Rebels' LB Selected to 2023 SEC Football Legends Class

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. 

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).