Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 81 Days (David Ellis)

Written by Nathan Comp

#81

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff has begun. Just 81 days remain until the Hoosiers kickoff the 2019 season in Indianapolis against the Ball State Cardinals. Today we will highlight 2019 athlete signee David Ellis.

David Ellis (Freshman)

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 195 Pounds

Hometown: Clinton Township, Michigan

Position: Athlete, Likely Slot Receiver and Kick Returner

The 2019 recruiting class put an emphasis on speed, and with the early signing period’s David Ellis signing, they found it. Ellis was a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports, ranked the 21st best prospect in the state of Michigan and the 69th best athlete nationally by ESPN. He accumulated five total scholarship offers, from Indiana and four MAC schools, but the number of offers he received likely doesn’t tell the whole story. 247 Sports’ Allen Trieu wrote about Ellis saying, “He is without a doubt one of the best players in the state of Michigan and the Hoosiers got a steal there.” A local high school coach that had to game plan against him felt similarly, saying that he was “beside myself that MSU and Michigan didn’t offer this kid.”

His success in high school reflects the surprise from experts close to Ellis. Ellis led his team to their first state championship since 2001 with a perfect 14-0 record. Throughout the season he flashed his ability to produce wherever he was on the field, amassing over 1,700 all purpose yards and 20 touchdowns (5 on special teams). In the regional final, he tallied both a 99-yard rushing touchdown and an 80-yard touchdown reception.

The Hoosiers may have found a diamond in the rough with Ellis, which is perfect for a receiving room that will lose Nick Westbrook and Donovan Hale after this season, are looking to replace Luke Timian, and add depth behind Whop Philyor. Ellis projects as a slot receiver who will also likely see time returning kicks or punts.

Hutch’s Trivia Question

In honor of the late Terry Hutchens, we are including a daily IUFB trivia question from his book So You Think You Know Indiana University Football. Hutch is dearly missed and this is our way of keeping his memory with us this season. Please leave your answers in the comments section.

Which NFL team drafted Jammie Kirlew and Cody Latimer?

 (check back tomorrow for the answer)

 Yesterday’s Answer: 11 (3 wins)