Ole Miss legend inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after incredible NFL career

For most NFL fans, when they think of the great linebacker legend that is Patrick Willis, Ole Miss is not the team that comes to mind. They just know him as the six-time All-Pro NFL linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. But Rebels fans know him as perhaps the greatest defensive player to ever put on an Ole Miss uniform.

Patrick Willis, Ole Miss legend enters NFL Hall of Fame

Throughout the years Ole Miss has had some solid defensive playmakers, but none more impressive than Patrick Willis. In just two seasons for Ole Miss Willis racked up over 260 tackles, defended eight passes, forced two fumbles, and racked up six sacks. He was an unstoppable force on defense.

Unfortunately, the Rebels wasted those two years with his elite talent in the early 2000s. They were fresh off of David Cutcliffe's exit, and Ed Orgeron wasn't quite the head coach he eventually became. However, that didn't stop Willis from making some of the most absurd defensive plays in Ole Miss history. He was truly just built different.

The good news is that the overall Ole Miss team failures during his time in Oxford did not hold Willis back. He went on to be the 11th overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft and immediately became one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game of football. He finished his NFL career with 950 tackles and over 60 passes defended in less than eight total NFL seasons. It's no wonder he was an easy selection for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.

Patrick Willis becomes the 32nd linebacker to be inducted in to the NFL Hall of Fame and the third ever Ole Miss Rebel to make it in. He joins Gene Hickerson and Frank Kinard, two Rebels legends in the Hall. Ole Miss and San Francisco 49ers fans will never forget how special Willis was and the incredible impact he brought to every single game.

Related: 49ers Hall of Famer Patrick Willis marks his enshrinement into Canton with heartfelt speech

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And if you want to look back on Patrick Willis' illustrious career from start to finish this highlights video below covers it well!