5 Things You Don’t Know About Patrick Willis

Willis played for the Ole Miss Rebels from 2006-09, and while he excelled every year, it was in his senior season that he truly broke out.

He led the SEC in tackles (137) while collecting 11.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovered on his way to earning the Jack Lambert award and the prestigious Dick Butkus award as the most outstanding linebacker in the country.

After a rookie campaign that saw his name added to the AP All-Pro squad -- the first 49ers player to do so since Ronnie Lott in 1981 -- after recording an NFL-leading 174 tackles, Willis was named as one of ESPN The Magazine's NEXT Athletes of 2008 alongside Brandon Roy and Joba Chamberlain.

Willis lived up to the hype. Roy and Chamberlain did not.

In the 2011 NFL season, Willis led a stingy 49ers' defense that set an NFL record -- previously held by the 1920 Decatur Staleys -- after refusing to allow a rushing TD in 15-straight games.

Willis earned a degree in Criminal Justice at Ole Miss, and when he's through protecting and serving the gridiron as a member of the 49ers, he has visions of a future in law enforcement.

In his eight-year career, Willis has made it to the postseason only thrice, but he's made the most of his opportunities. In eight-career playoff games, Willis accumulated 71 tackles, two sacks, one INT and one fumble recovered.

He has yet to win a Super Bowl, but if anyone deserves to be an NFL champion, it's Patrick Willis.