Patrick Willis Claims Jack Lambert Award

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis picked up another national award on Monday when he was named the recipient of the Jack Lambert Award, which is presented by the Touchdown Club of Columbus to college football's top linebacker.

Willis, a senior from Bruceton, Tenn., led the Southeastern Conference for the second straight year in tackles, and established himself as the nation's premier linebacker. The Lambert Award is named for Pittsburgh Steelers great and Pro Football Hall Fame linebacker Jack Lambert. Last year's winner was Ohio State senior A.J. Hawk (currently with the Green Bay Packers).

The Jack Lambert Award will be presented to Willis during the 52nd Annual Touchdown Club of Columbus Sports Awards Banquet in the Arena District in Downtown Columbus on Saturday evening, February 10, 2007.

Willis, who earlier received the 2006 Butkus Award from the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando as the nation's top linebacker, also picked up another first team All-America honor when he was recognized by ESPN.com. He had previously been honored with first team All-America status this year by The Associated Press, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sporting News, the Football Writers' Association of America, Pro Football Weekly, the Gridiron Gazette, SI.com, CBSSportsline.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com.

By being named to a majority of the major All-America squads, Willis becomes the first consensus All-American at Ole Miss since Rebel tight end Rufus French in 1998. Willis has now been selected first team All-America by 11 different publications and/or organizations, joining three other Ole Miss players to have earned first team honors on 11 different All-America squads -- end Barney Poole in 1947, fullback Charlie Flowers in 1959 and tackle Jim Dunaway in 1962.
French was named on 10 All-America first units in 1998 as was guard Crawford Mims in 1953.

Quarterback Jake Gibbs is the most honored Ole Miss player when it comes to being named first team All-America, having been selected to 12 different teams in 1960.

ESPN.com All-America team:

Offense
WR: Jarett Dillard, Rice
WR: Robert Meachem, Tennessee
TE: Johnny Harline, BYU
OT: Jake Long, Michigan
OG: Justin Blalock, Texas
C: Dan Mozes, West Virginia
OG: Ben Grubbs, Auburn
OT: Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
QB: Troy Smith, Ohio State
RB: Darren McFadden, Arkansas
FB: Brian Leonard, Rutgers

Defense
DE: LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
DT: Alan Branch, Michigan
DT: Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State
DE: Gaines Adams, Clemson
LB: Patrick Willis, Ole Miss
LB: James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
LB: Paul Posluszny, Penn State
CB: Daymeion Hughes, California
CB: Aaron Ross, Texas
S: LaRon Landry, LSU
S: Reggie Nelson, Florida

Special Teams
PK: Sam Swank, Wake Forest
P: Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
KR: Marcus Thigpen, Indiana
PR: DeSean Jackson, California

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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