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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Several Rebels Distinguished by Athlon
6/12/2006 | Football
June 12, 2006
OXFORD, Miss. - Several Ole Miss players are being honored by Athlon Sports in its 2006 college football preview, led by preseason first team All-American linebacker Patrick Willis.
The 2005 NCAA leader in solo tackles per game, Willis has piled up the preseason accolades, garnering first team All-America status from now six different media outlets. The senior from Bruceton, Tenn., also directs a linebacking corps that Athlon tabbed fourth-best in the Southeastern Conference.
While Willis was named first team preseason All-SEC, sophomore offensive tackle Michael Oher earned second team distinction, and junior tight end Robert Lane was labeled a "Rising Star."
In addition, Athlon listed junior running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis as one of the nation's "Five Key Transfers". The former Indiana Hoosier also ranked third among the "Top 20 SEC Impact Newcomers", while incoming Rebel quarterback Brent Schaeffer, a junior transfer from the College of Sequoias, sat atop the list, which was compiled by Scout.com and featured more Ole Miss players than any other league school.
Freshman tailback Cordera Eason was No. 8 in the SEC newcomer ranking, and defensive lineman Jerrell Powe rounded out the top 10. Freshman defensive lineman Kentrell Lockett tied down the 20th spot.
