Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis is a linebacker for the for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was born Patrick L. Willis on January 25, 1985 in Bruceton, TN. He stands six feet and one inches tall, weighs 240 pounds, and wears jersey number 52. He was drafted in the first round (11th overall) by the 49ers in the 2007 NFL Draft. He attended Ole Miss University, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice. He graduated from Central high school in Bruceton, TN. Willis played football and basketball in high school, earning letters in both sports. He was selected for the Mr. Football Award twice in one season, at tailback and linebacker. He was the first person in the history of Tennessee sports to win the award twice in a single season.

In 2003, Willis enrolled at Ole Miss and began playing for the Football team. He played a total of 45 college football games over his four year career, recording a total of 355 tackles and 11 sacks. In 2006 Willis was awarded the Chucky Mullins Courage Award and The Butkus Award, given to the top college football linebacker. Additionally, Willis was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first team All-American and given the Conerly Trophy, for the top college football player in Mississippi.

Willis' role with the 2010 49ers is as their defensive cornerstone. He has established himself as the premier middle linebacker in the NFL, and is the driving force behind a steadily improving 49ers defense.http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Patrick-Willis/ef5ca421-1c18-4012-ad6f-9b96a1e5e125

In 2009 Willis earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year, and was named as an All-Pro for the second time. He led the team in tackles with 173, and tackles for loss with 13, and according to the Elias Sports Bereau, led the NFL in tackles as well. He returned his second career interception for a touchdown against the defending Super Bowl champion Arizona Cardinals on September 13.

In 2008 Willis again led the team in tackles with 185, and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. He recorded his first career interception returned for a touchdown in week one against the Seattle Seahawks, taking it back 86 yards and setting a new team record for longest interception return by a linebacker.

In 2007 Willis led the league in tackles with 226, was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, was named All-Pro, and was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He recorded a team record 21 tackles in a single game against the Cardinals on November 25. The next week he made 20 tackles, giving him 41 total tackles in just two games. Two weeks later, he recorded 20 tackles again, along with two sacks and a forced fumble. He finished the year with four sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and six passes defensed.http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Patrick-Willis/ef5ca421-1c18-4012-ad6f-9b96a1e5e125