Justin Ellis

An under-the-radar high school recruit, Ellis redshirted in 2009 and barely saw the field in 2010 before becoming a sophomore starter in 2011. He took a step back in 2012, but had his best year as a senior with 48 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, earning All-CUSA Honorable Mention honors. Ellis is a wide-bodied rusher and uses his ball quickness and snap anticipation to surge past blockers before they can set up, making him a tough guy to square up and slow down. He looks like a zero-technique who should be a man-eating run stuffer, but is more of an upfield penetrator who is a handful to control as a pass rusher. Ellis is scheme-versatile to play a two-gapping NT role or as a 3-technique who wins with initial burst.

strengths

Large, wide body and carries his weight well. Long arms for his frame and extends well, using his active hands to work off blocks. Has really improved in this area, bullying with heavy hands. Explosive off the ball and a quick thinker, reacting well to what the blockers want to do. Attacks with pure momentum, not afraid to use a spin move, making it tough for blockers to latch on.

room to improve his ability vs. double-teams and do a better job as a two-gapping player. has some sloppy weight on his frame and his conditioning needs to be monitored. very pedestrian production in college and was a party of a heavy defensive line rotation to keep him fresh.

--Dane Brugler

load to handle. good pocket vision and awareness to track and crash down on the ball or chase the ballcarrier outside. anchors well at the point of attack and has a stout build. nice job getting his paw up to swat the ball out of the air. nonstop motor and ferocious demeanor.

Try-hard type who gets the most out of his ability. Versatile experience, lining up at various inside positions in college.

weaknesses

Needs to stay balanced and controlled and play with better gap integrity. Needs to improve his pad level and show better lower body bend to keep his belt low and play with more consistent leverage. A lot of bull rushes and needs to show more variance in his rushes and broaden his repertoire of arm moves.

Lettered three years for coach Mickey McCarty at Neville High School in Louisiana

Two-time first team all-District 2-4A

Named first team all-state by the LSWA as a senior

Named second team all-state by the Louisiana Football Coaches Association as a junior

Two-time all-Northeast Louisiana by the Monroe News-Star

Selected to play in the inaugural Sportsman Paradise Bowl game

Also lettered for three years on the Neville track and field team, competing in the shot put

Finished third in the state of Louisiana in the shot put as a junior.

Full name is Justin Jamaal Ellis

Son of Gloria Ellis and Jared Mack

Has one brother, SirDarius, and one sister, LeNelle

Born Dec. 27, 1990 in Monroe, La.