Patrick L. Willis is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels, earning consensus All-American honors in 2006 and was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. Willis is regarded as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. During Willis's 2006 senior season at Ole Miss, he received the collegiate version of the Butkus Award and the Jack Lambert Award as the nation's top linebacker. A year later as a member of the 49ers, Willis led the NFL in tackles, earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, and was named the 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Willis made the Pro Bowl in his first seven seasons and earned All-Pro honors in his first six years in the NFL. Willis won the professional version of the Butkus Award while with the 49ers in 2009. His career accomplishments culminated with being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.