bigmarc27
06-07-2006, 02:44 PM
# 24 -- Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss
Class: Senior
Hometown: Bruceton, Tenn.
High School: Central
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 230
Position: LB
Birthdate: 01/25/1985
Experience: 3L
Career Stats:
2005
128 tackles (90 solo), 9.5 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Fumble Recovered, 1 INT
2004
70 Tackles (54 Solo), 11 TFL, 5 Sacks
2003
20 Tackles (16 Solo), 1 TFL
Who is he:
Patrick Willis returns to Ole Miss for his senior season as the best returning LB in the SEC. He's the mike LB in their scheme, which allows him to flow to the ball and make plays. Because of this, Willis has improved him numbers each year he's played. Willis has everything you would want in a LB; he's got good size and speed, and is a sure-tackler. He's still learning how to act in space and his coverage skills aren't great, but they're improving. Mel Kiper has him marked as a possible first rounder in the 2007 draft if he continues to improve.
Notes:
- All-American 2005
- First Team SEC 2005
- 2006 Chucky Mullins Courage Award
- Preseason first team All-American and No. 1 inside linebacker in the nation by The Sporting News and Lindy's
- Preseason All-America by Playboy
- First Team honoree by NationalChamps.net
- Watch Lists for the Bednarik Award, Rotary Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy
- Lindy's preseason SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- Rated No. 10 on SI.com's "Best College Football Players of 2006"
What to Expect in ’06:
New head coach Ed Orgeron did a decent job last year replacing David Cutcliffe. This year, he'll rely heavily on Willis to anchor his defense and incoming 5 star transfer Brent Schaeffer to lead his offense. If Willis can improve even more and make those around him better, I think this Ole Miss team could make noise in the SEC West. Right now, they're a step behind LSU, Auburn, and Alabama, but it's not a strech to see them picking off one of these teams if they're on their game. For Willis, I expect him be a tackle machine again and lead the Rebels to 500% or better record and a bowl appearance.
Projection: 135 Tackles (90 Solo), 10 TFL, 5 Sacks
http://www.nwaonline.net/content/articles/2006/01/01/razorback_central/sections/football/november_11/02uaopp.jpg
Class: Senior
Hometown: Bruceton, Tenn.
High School: Central
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 230
Position: LB
Birthdate: 01/25/1985
Experience: 3L
Career Stats:
2005
128 tackles (90 solo), 9.5 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Fumble Recovered, 1 INT
2004
70 Tackles (54 Solo), 11 TFL, 5 Sacks
2003
20 Tackles (16 Solo), 1 TFL
Who is he:
Patrick Willis returns to Ole Miss for his senior season as the best returning LB in the SEC. He's the mike LB in their scheme, which allows him to flow to the ball and make plays. Because of this, Willis has improved him numbers each year he's played. Willis has everything you would want in a LB; he's got good size and speed, and is a sure-tackler. He's still learning how to act in space and his coverage skills aren't great, but they're improving. Mel Kiper has him marked as a possible first rounder in the 2007 draft if he continues to improve.
Notes:
- All-American 2005
- First Team SEC 2005
- 2006 Chucky Mullins Courage Award
- Preseason first team All-American and No. 1 inside linebacker in the nation by The Sporting News and Lindy's
- Preseason All-America by Playboy
- First Team honoree by NationalChamps.net
- Watch Lists for the Bednarik Award, Rotary Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy
- Lindy's preseason SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- Rated No. 10 on SI.com's "Best College Football Players of 2006"
What to Expect in ’06:
New head coach Ed Orgeron did a decent job last year replacing David Cutcliffe. This year, he'll rely heavily on Willis to anchor his defense and incoming 5 star transfer Brent Schaeffer to lead his offense. If Willis can improve even more and make those around him better, I think this Ole Miss team could make noise in the SEC West. Right now, they're a step behind LSU, Auburn, and Alabama, but it's not a strech to see them picking off one of these teams if they're on their game. For Willis, I expect him be a tackle machine again and lead the Rebels to 500% or better record and a bowl appearance.
Projection: 135 Tackles (90 Solo), 10 TFL, 5 Sacks
http://www.nwaonline.net/content/articles/2006/01/01/razorback_central/sections/football/november_11/02uaopp.jpg