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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football’s William “Bill” Smith Named to 2025 SEC Football Legends Class
10/22/2025 | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Rebel football great William "Bill" Smith has been named as Ole Miss' representative on the SEC Football Legends Class for 2025, as announced by the conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Smith was one of the most dominant punters in college football history. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Smith starred at Ole Miss, where he earned All-America honors in 1985 and 1986, and was named to the All-SEC team for three consecutive years from 1984 to 1986.
Known for his booming leg, Smith averaged an impressive 44.3 yards on 254 career punts. He set an NCAA record with a 50-yard punt in 32 consecutive games and remains No. 2 in SEC history for career 50-yard punts (86) and games averaging 40 or more yards (36). His 92-yard punt and 84.5-yard single-game average against Southern Miss in 1984 still stand as SEC records.
Smith capped his college career with appearances in the Senior Bowl and the Blue-Gray Game, and was a seventh-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 1987 NFL Draft. Smith was later honored with a spot in the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Smith will be one of 16 former football standouts who will be recognized at the 2025 SEC Football "Weekend of Champions" December 5-6 in Atlanta, Georgia – highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Celebration presented by T-Mobile on Fri., Dec. 5 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sat., Dec. 6.
2025 SEC Football Legends Class
Alabama – C.J. Mosley, Linebacker, 2010-13
Arkansas – Kenoy Kennedy, Safety, 1996-99
Auburn – Cam Newton, Quarterback, 2010
Florida – Brandon Spikes, Linebacker, 2006-09
Georgia – Randy Johnson, Offensive Guard, 1973-75
Kentucky – Jacob Tamme, Tight End, 2004-07
LSU – Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, 2010-11
Ole Miss – William "Bill" Smith, Punter, 1983-86
Mississippi State – Gabe Jackson, Offensive Guard, 2009-13
Missouri – Mitch Morse, Offensive Lineman, 2010-14
Oklahoma – Lucious Selmon, Nose Guard, 1970-73
South Carolina – Connor Shaw, Quarterback, 2010-13
Tennessee – Kevin Burnett, Linebacker, 2000-04
Texas – Derrick Johnson, Linebacker, 2001-04
Texas A&M – R.C. Slocum, Head Coach, 1989-2002
Vanderbilt – Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, 2010-13
Smith was one of the most dominant punters in college football history. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Smith starred at Ole Miss, where he earned All-America honors in 1985 and 1986, and was named to the All-SEC team for three consecutive years from 1984 to 1986.
Known for his booming leg, Smith averaged an impressive 44.3 yards on 254 career punts. He set an NCAA record with a 50-yard punt in 32 consecutive games and remains No. 2 in SEC history for career 50-yard punts (86) and games averaging 40 or more yards (36). His 92-yard punt and 84.5-yard single-game average against Southern Miss in 1984 still stand as SEC records.
Smith capped his college career with appearances in the Senior Bowl and the Blue-Gray Game, and was a seventh-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 1987 NFL Draft. Smith was later honored with a spot in the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Smith will be one of 16 former football standouts who will be recognized at the 2025 SEC Football "Weekend of Champions" December 5-6 in Atlanta, Georgia – highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Celebration presented by T-Mobile on Fri., Dec. 5 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sat., Dec. 6.
2025 SEC Football Legends Class
Alabama – C.J. Mosley, Linebacker, 2010-13
Arkansas – Kenoy Kennedy, Safety, 1996-99
Auburn – Cam Newton, Quarterback, 2010
Florida – Brandon Spikes, Linebacker, 2006-09
Georgia – Randy Johnson, Offensive Guard, 1973-75
Kentucky – Jacob Tamme, Tight End, 2004-07
LSU – Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, 2010-11
Ole Miss – William "Bill" Smith, Punter, 1983-86
Mississippi State – Gabe Jackson, Offensive Guard, 2009-13
Missouri – Mitch Morse, Offensive Lineman, 2010-14
Oklahoma – Lucious Selmon, Nose Guard, 1970-73
South Carolina – Connor Shaw, Quarterback, 2010-13
Tennessee – Kevin Burnett, Linebacker, 2000-04
Texas – Derrick Johnson, Linebacker, 2001-04
Texas A&M – R.C. Slocum, Head Coach, 1989-2002
Vanderbilt – Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, 2010-13
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