updated 6:38 p.m. ET Jan. 4, 2008

NEW YORK - One NFL scout called linebacker Patrick Willis “a beast.” An NFL coach said Willis is “a rolling ball of butcher knives.”

And that was before Willis won The Associated Press 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Willis’ dominant performance could have been overlooked because his San Francisco 49ers went 5-11 in a mediocre division. Instead, his league-leading 174 tackles and presence all over the field made him a runaway winner and the ‘fifth straight linebacker to take the honor.

“It’s a great honor,” said Willis, who woke up Friday to “a bunch of text messages and 13 calls” on his cell phone telling him he won. “I can’t give enough credit to my teammates, especially for the front seven — the defensive line was unbelievable — and for my linebacker corps helping me find my way, and for my coaches believing in me.”

Willis earned 48 votes Friday from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. Only Carolina linebacker Jon Beason, with two, also received votes.

“It’s confirmation of what you’ve been doing as an individual,” Willis said. “From an individual perspective, it would be good for people that doubted, or didn’t know if you could be a No. 1 draft pick, or if you could come into the league and do well because of your size or where you might have played ball at ... and show them that if you put your mind to it, you’re capable of anything.”

Willis certainly looked capable of just about anything as he did just about everything in 2007. The 11th overall draft pick from Mississippi was a dynamic presence from the first practice with the 49ers, and by season’s end, opponents were scheming to avoid him.

It didn’t work very often, witness his total tackles and four sacks and his ability to disrupt the opposition. He made 11 tackles in the season opener and had at least 10 in 10 games. His high was 20 against Tampa Bay, when Willis also had two sacks.

“I never say it was after this (specific) game I knew I would have a good year,” Willis said. “Each week I continued to work and try to be productive. Each week was a working opportunity for me.

“I think that I was more comfortable as the season went on. I think I started understanding things a little better and seeing things better.”

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

And, as Vikings coach Brad Childress noted, cutting through blockers like butcher knives.

“He’s a freak,” said Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who won the Offensive Rookie award earlier this week. “Working out with him, I saw the talent he has.

“One thing I realized while working out with Patrick is that he is very competitive. You don’t really see that too much in guys that are as gifted as him as far as his speed being 4.3 (seconds in the 40-yard dash) at 240 pounds. He’s strong as an ox. That’s one thing I picked up on which made me respect him that much more. I definitely like his fearless style of play.”

Willis is the third 49ers player to win the award, joining tackle Dana Stubblefield (1993) and cornerback Bruce Taylor (1970).

He also continued the run of linebackers earning the honor. The previous four were: DeMeco Ryans of Houston, Shawne Merriman of San Diego, Jonathan Vilma of the New York Jets, and Terrell Suggs of Baltimore.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Shaky state of the Steelers PFT: Roethlisberger may sit out vs. Ravens   PFTV: Patriots will prove devilish for Saints PFT’s Picks: Colts, Saints to finally taste defeat PFT: Giants' playoff hopes now in big trouble Broncos' losing streak over, red zone troubles on December means questions for Romo, Cowboys Giants at crossroads with 6-5 record Pompei: Like it or not, Lions to stay on Thanksgiving PFT: Adrian Peterson questionable for Sunday NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: