Former Ole Miss and San Francisco LB Patrick Willis named finalist for 2023 NFL Hall of Fame
Ole Miss could soon have a third former player become enshrined in as a hall of famer and the name should surprise nobody.
On Wednesday the NFL announced the 15 Modern-Era finalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame, including former Ole Miss and San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis.
Willis played all eight seasons of his professional career with the 49ers from 2007 to 2014. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by San Fransisco.
Willis tallied 950 total tackles, 20.5 sacks and eight interceptions during his time as a 49er.
If Willis is elected into this year’s Hall of Fame class he will join Gene Hickerson and Frank ‘Bruiser’ Kinard as former Ole Miss players enshrined in the pro Hall of Fame.
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Willis is one of the top Ole Miss players in program history and considered one of the best college football players.
In his three seasons at Ole Miss from 2003 to 2006 Willis finished with 265 tackles, six sacks and a pick. In 2019 Willis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2023; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent for election. The slate of candidates in the Modern-Era Player category will be considered when the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee meets virtually prior to Super Bowl LVII. The Class of 2023 will be unveiled publicly Feb. 9.
