By Ernie Smothers
smothers@mckenziebanner.com |
 |
|
Fitted with a huge cast on his injured
right hand (referred to by his teammates as "the
club") and with a brace supporting his left knee,
Willis faces off against then #19 ranked Tennessee. |
Geographically, the distance between the Joe T. Herndon
football field in Bruceton and The University of Mississippi
(Ole Miss) football stadium is roughly 150 miles, requiring
well over two hours of travel by car. The distance required
for a Division I, single A West Tennessee football player to
transcend into a starter for the Southeastern Conference
Rebel Football team is much greater--so vast that most
gridiron athletes can only arrive there in dreams. For
former Hollow Rock-Bruceton football standout Patrick
Willis, however, the dream of playing big league college
football has become reality.
Willis, a 2003 graduate of Central High School, had already
garnered numerous awards for his impressive football
achievements on the high school level. Twice receiving
All-State honors, Willis was voted regional Most Valuable
Player and 2002 West Tennessee Player of the Year. He also
holds the distinction of being the only player in Tennessee
high school football history to be nominated offensively and
defensively for the coveted Mr. Football award the same
year. He received the defensive award in 2002.
 Upon signing a football scholarship with Ole Miss during his
senior year at Central, Willis began the daunting task of
transforming from a single A football standout to
Southeastern Conference hopeful. Considering the caliber of
talent already in place at Ole Miss at the onset of his
freshman year, Willis' challenge of elevating himself from
sideline observer to on-field contributor was staggering.
Basically unknown to the Rebel coaching staff, players and
fans, Willis was in dire need of some measure of breakout
recognition. That recognition arrived midway through the
season.
Willis was thrust into the national spotlight during his
freshman year after delivering a devastating opening kickoff
collision against SEC foe Alabama that set the tone for the
Rebels' nationally televised upset of the Tide. Willis'
impressive stop, now known by Ole Miss fans as "The Tackle",
was aired by ESPN during a segment highlighting the best
tackles in college football for that week.
Though utilized primarily on special teams and as reserve
linebacker during his freshman and sophomore years, Willis
did his part, performing optimally when called upon.
This season, as a junior, Willis' relentless tenacity has
earned him a starting position as middle linebacker. He has
excelled.
During the Rebels' season opener against The University of
Memphis, Willis made the most of his first starting
appearance, making 14 tackles and causing a fumble to lead
Ole Miss to a 10 to 6 upset victory. As a result of his
performance, Willis was voted Southeastern Conference
Defensive Player of the Week.
During the first quarter of week two's game against SEC foe
Vanderbilt, Willis sustained a severely broken right middle
finger and ligament damage to his left knee. Unable to
return to action, he not only missed the remainder of the
Vanderbilt game, but was unable to play the following week
against Wyoming.
 Fitted with a huge cast on his injured right hand (referred
to by his teammates as "the club") and a brace to support
his left knee, Willis returned to action in week four as the
Rebels faced off against then #19 ranked Tennessee.
Throughout the contest, Willis received praise from
Jefferson Pilot Network commentators regarding his
impressive, game high-14 tackle performance. In a post-game
interview, Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer spoke of not
signing Willis to the Vols, lamenting, "He's a guy we
shouldn't have let get out of the state."
Willis' SEC assault continued the following week, as he
delivered a game-high 15 tackles against then #5 nationally
ranked Alabama. Willis was lauded by Crimson Tide head Coach
Mike Shula during a post game press conference following
Alabama's last second, 13 to 10 victory over the Rebels.
Shula stated to reporters, "We had a lot of respect for him
(Willis) going into the game, but we multiply that by ten
now. A lot of time, you get a guy in position to make plays
and they struggle to make them. It seemed like he makes
every one."
Kentucky head Coach Rich Brooks told the media after Ole
Miss defeated the Wildcats 13 to 7 the next week, "Willis is
one of the best in the league, especially considering he is
playing with a huge cast on his hand."
The praise also flows at Ole Miss. First year head Coach Ed
Orgeron, former defensive coordinator for the 2004 national
champion University of Southern California Trojans, could
not believe that a player of Willis' caliber was waiting in
the wings at Ole Miss. Orgeron stated he simply could not
comprehend why Willis had not started a single game for the
Rebels during the 2004 season. (Willis, seeing limited
action, still recorded an impressive 70 tackles during the
'04 season, five fewer than the team's leading tackler,
Charles Clark, who started all ten regular season games).
Willis was named honorable mention All-SEC after the 2004
season by the Associated Press despite only being utilized
as a reserve.
During a press conference held at SEC media day prior to the
start of the season, Orgeron, seated beside Willis, stated
emphatically, "Patrick would have started for me as middle
linebacker for USC when we won the national championship
last year. He's exactly what I would describe as a football
player. I'm so happy that he's on our football team, and we
can build around this young man."
Central educator and WFWL/WRJB radio sports commentator
Buddy Smothers, while in attendance at the Alabama--Ole Miss
press conference preceding the game, stated that Orgeron had
emphatically emphasized his belief in Willis. Smothers noted
that Orgeron had stated to the media, "He's the best
linebacker I've ever coached."
Perhaps the most important praise of all comes from his
teammates. Ole Miss linebacker Kelvin Robinson complimented
Willis, stating, "He is like a football genius. When he is
out there, it gives us even more enthusiasm. He came out
with a big cast on his hand against Tennessee, couldn't grab
nothing to wipe his face, with his knee messed up. I think
he should win some tough man competition."
Born January 25, 1985, Willis is the son of Ernest Willis
and legal guardians Chris and Julie Finley. (The couple was
granted legal guardianship of Willis on May 13, 2002, prior
to his senior year of high school). He is the eldest of
three siblings: Orey, Ernica, and Detris, each blessed with
athletic ability. Younger brother Orey was the second
leading single game rusher in TSSAA history in 2004 by
gaining 396 yards for the Tigers during a contest against
Chester County. Ernica, beginning her senior year for the
Lady Tigers, is a standout basketball player. Detris has
been a vital force for Central's football team as a starter
on both offense and defense.
A life-long Carroll County native, Willis was raised in the
Smyrna community, located between the towns of Huntingdon
and Buena Vista. He attended the Hollow Rock-Bruceton school
system from kindergarten through graduation. While at
Central, he played football and basketball for four years,
and baseball for three years.
Former Central football head coach and current school
Superintendent Rod Sturdivant, is not surprised that Willis
is thriving as a player at Ole Miss. Sturdivant stated
during an interview, "It really goes without saying that
Patrick is succeeding due to his work ethic and
determination. Patrick is a quiet person who leads by
example rather than words. He is an unselfish person who
cares about what people think about him. Most people who get
to the level he is at now don't seem to care about how their
actions affect others, but he does.
Patrick has not lost his humility," he added, "He is a very
unique person."
Pertaining to his success at Ole Miss, Sturdivant noted," I
told Coach Cutcliff the day he signed Patrick at Central
that I didn't know how good he would do there, but assured
him that he would not embarrass the program." Jokingly, he
added, "I took Patrick off to the side later and told him
the same thing. I am pleased that he is doing well."
Willis' legal guardian, Chris Finley, was also complimentary
of the talented young man. "I appreciate the kind things
people say about Julie and me regarding our relationship
with Patrick, but his father Ernest deserves credit for
teaching his son discipline, respectfulness, and a strong
work ethic," he said. When Patrick came to live with us,
Julie and I were impressed by his attitude. He was always
very polite and respectful. He was not a stranger to doing
chores, either."
Willis is very family oriented and makes sure to visit his
grandmother, Louise, every time he comes home for a visit,
Finley said, noting Willis' character is strongly based upon
his Christian faith. "He always gives glory to God for
everything that happens in his life, on and off the field,"
he said.
Finley expressed his admiration for former Ole Miss Coach
David Cutcliffs' decision to sign Willis after other teams,
most notably Tennessee, had shown marginal interest. He said
that Willis' attendance at Ole Miss was a perfect fit.
"Patrick made good choices early on at Ole Miss, deciding to
hang around seniors and upper classmen, and avoiding
questionable situations," he noted. "Patrick has also worked
hard in the class room, aware of the importance that a
college degree makes regarding a person's future."
Regarding Orgeron, Finley noted, "Coach O's low key
philosophy really matches up well with Patrick's. Coach
always tells his players to be where they're supposed to be,
do the job they're given. That's Patrick's philosophy, too."
Finley continued, "Patrick doesn't jump up and down after
making a tackle, drawing attention to himself. He lives by
the adage, 'act like you've been there before'--that's his
way."
Finley added that Coach Orgeron's choice to have Willis
accompany him as the team's player representative at SEC
media day was quite unusual. "Patrick is only a junior, but
Coach O chose him to represent the school. That says a whole
lot about how they feel about him right there."
Finley acknowledged that National Football League recruiters
have shown interest in Willis as a result of his stellar
performances during nationally televised games this season,
but said Willis has declined talking with pro recruiters
until after the season is completed. He added, "I'm glad
he's waiting until the end of the season to deal with the
pro recruiting process. Right now, he is focused on the
games ahead of him. We'll just have to see what the future
holds. Regardless of whatever the future holds, Julie and I
are very proud of him."
Former NFL coaching legend George "Papa Bear" Halas was
known to say, "When you've got a winner, you take him to
dinner." Considering his talent, motivation, and positive
attitude, it seems that the table is set for Patrick Willis.
Special thanks to Buddy Smothers, Chris Finley, Hollow
Rock-Bruceton School
Superintendent Rod Sturdivant and Ole Miss Director Of
Information Langston Rogers for their insightful
contributions to this article.
|
2005 Feature Archives: |
|
|
|
|
|
2004
Feature
Archives: |
|
|
|
. |
|
2003
Feature
Archives: |
|
|
|
. |
|
2002
Feature
Archives: |
|
|
|
. |
|
2001
Feature
Archives: |
|
|
|
