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Ole Miss great Eli Manning a finalist for induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•about 23 hours•

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All-time Ole Miss great Eli Manning was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in May

Eli Manning, arguably the greatest quarterback in Ole Miss history, is one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Another all-time-great Rebel, linebacker Patrick Willis, earlier this year became just the third Ole Miss Rebel inducted into the Hall of Fame in program history. 

Manning is in his first year of eligibility. He was a two-time Super Bowl MVP with the New York Giants. Manning was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. His No. 10 is retired at Ole Miss. Manning joined his father, Archie, as well as Chucky Mullins and Ben Williams.

Manning was a four-year letter-winner at Ole Miss from 2000-03. He was an All-American and won the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards as a senior. Manning set or tied 47 single‑game season and career records as a Rebel. He was a 2003 Heisman finalist.

Manning finished with a school-record 10,119 career passing yards and 81 career touchdown passes. He also set new Ole Miss career records for completions (829) and passing attempts (1,363). Both marks ranked fourth in SEC history.

The selection committee may elect up to five players from a group that also includes Terrell Suggs, Luke Kuechly, Marshal Yanda, Adam Vinatieri, Steve Smith, Eric Allen, Antonio Gates, Jahri Evans, Jared Allen, Reggie Wayne, Fred Taylor, Torry Holt, Willie Anderson, Darren Woodson and Eric Allen.

A player has to receive 80 percent of the vote for induction.

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Willis starred for Ole Miss from 2003 to 2006. 

No Rebel made more All-American teams (13) in a single season. He twice led the SEC in tackles. Willis was a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year. In Ole Miss history he’s sixth in career tackles (355) and tied for sixth in TFLs (33).

The San Francisco 49ers drafted Willis with the No. 11 overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a seven-time All-Pro in eight seasons. On five different occasions he was first-team All-Pro.

Willis finished his NFL career with 950 combined tackles (732 solo, 218 assists). He had 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, five fumbles recovered, eight interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

“Thank you (to the 49ers) for taking a chance on a linebacker out of Ole Miss,” Willis said, “who hadn’t won a lot of games, but still played as if it was his last chance.”

“When I say it takes a village, it truly does. Because of all of you, I stand here today honored to be wearing this gold jacket, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the great ones in the National Football League. 

“I am elated to know I will not be simply known as Patrick Willis, but ‘Hall of Famer’ Patrick Willis.”

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