However, when he does he has the flexibility to gain leverage on contact, uses his length well to keep himself clean and exhibits good range in pursuit. Is a developing pass rusher, displays natural lateral quickness for his size and has some violence with his long arms when trying to disengage thought contact. At times get too overextended and will pop upright, causing him to lose his balance. But the natural skill set and length is there for him to counter laterally, keep himself clean and make his way in the backfield. Just needs some time.
Is a strong anchor player inside. When he sits into his stance and keeps his head up he's a tough guy to move off the football. Uses his length well to fight his way through contact, closes quickly on ball off his frame and displays a good motor in pursuit. However, has a tendency to drop his head down and fails to see the football at times vs. the double. Looks content to be blocked at times vs. any kind of additional attention and will wait until the ball carrier breaks into the second level to begin working in pursuit. However, I will give him credit because for a big man he will chase the ball carrier on all areas of the field and does have pretty good range.
Was kicked off the South Carolina football team in 2008 for violating university policies. Was suspended for the first three games of the 2008 season prior to his dismissal from the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules. According to sources Ellis had failed multiple drug tests during his time at South Carolina.
Impression: A gifted physical athlete with an impressive get-off for a guy his size. Is powerful, can anchor as a nose and is athletic enough to get looks as a five-technique as well. Has some raw spots to his game, but is a character corner guy. Also, has had some weight issues and seems like a mid-round boom or bust type prospect."
Run Defense: Looks like a run-stuffer and can play that part but surprises with his agility and foot quickness. Agile enough to move with blockers on zone plays; can disengage to prevent cutback lanes. Holds up double teams to eat space but can also penetrate into the backfield. Can push back two defenders when keeping his hips low and churning his feet. Good hustle for his size, especially when rested as part of a regular rotation. Chases down plays to the sideline, as well as from behind even if they go 15-20 yards downfield when rested (even in the fourth quarter); he is not credited with many stops in those situations, but is in position if his teammates can't stop the ball. Spins off doubles to grab ballcarriers coming through the hole or force them into the arms of linebackers. Owns fairly nimble feet to jump over fallen blockers but is susceptible to the cut block because of his height and has difficulty regaining his balance. Runs past ballcarriers because he fails to break down quickly.
Explosion: Excellent upper-body build and girth for great strength off the snap to unload in his man's numbers. Not just a mammoth run-stopper, he lines up at the one- and three-technique positions to be explosive as a pass rusher. Won't get a lot of NFL linemen with his first step but it is quick enough to pressure the pocket when lined up with his ears pinned back coming for the quarterback. Quick hands to swim over linemen lunging toward him.
Strength: Man among boys at the FCS level with his size and strength. Anchors against double teams, not moved backward easily. Rips off single blocks with strong hands and downward motion, though he will stand around if not rested. Holds off linemen with one shoulder when slanting, still able to spin in the opposite direction to make tackles. Will have more difficulty maintaining leverage against NFL interior linemen, needs to drop his hips to hold his ground consistently.
Tackling: Swallows running backs in the hole with great mass and length. Pure size and strength make him an explosive tackler that ballcarriers don't want to feel hit them. Good change-of-direction agility for his size due to quick feet, but he struggles to stay low and break down in space. Has some upfield burst can work against him if he runs by quarterbacks and running backs in the backfield because he cannot stop his forward momentum.
Intangibles: Dismissal from South Carolina for multiple rules violations is a major red flag, but there have been no reports of problems since he arrived at Hampton. On-field effort is not an issue."
Positive: Powerful interior lineman who controls the action when motivated. Wide-bodied and easily clogs the middle. Keeps his feet moving on contact, flashes athleticism, and has above-average movement skills for a player of his size. Fluid changing direction, plays with good lean, and is impossible to move off the point. Defeats blocks and constantly makes plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Negative: Lacks first-step quickness. Gets tall, does not use his hands well, and easily neutralized at the point. Lumbers about the field. Seemingly gives up on the action if it's not in his immediate vicinity.
Analysis: After being dismissed from South Carolina for multiple rules violations in 2008, Ellis pulled the pieces together and was very productive on the small school level. He is a mountain of a man on the defensive line and possesses the size, strength, and athleticism to control the action. Ellis needs a lot of work on his game, must improve his fundamentals and get into better shape to have any kind of career in the NFL and play at his expected level of ability."
Negatives: Plays too upright and loses leverage at times... Inconsistent... Can be blocked by single blocker at times... Questionable workout habits and attitude... Conditioning issues... Has some stamina issues late in games... Dismissed from South Carolina for multiple school rules violations, including academic issues and marijuana use... Arrested for assault and suspended for 2010 season opener... He could be taken off some boards due to character concerns!"
Strengths: Big and with a powerful lower body the South Carolina transfer, he is capable of dominating with his bulk and anchor.
Weaknesses: He's raw and will need some work, he has good natural power but still needs to work on his conditioning and upper body power.
Projection: Ellis is a talent though he is only an average as a pure athlete, he is close to Cody in terms of physical qualities but is more mobile and a bit less corpulent."
Ellis did earn a start for the Gamecocks as a redshirt freshman in 2007. On the year he totaled 11 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss. The following year Ellis was playing for the Pirates and began the more productive portion of his collegiate career. In 2008 he started nine contests and recorded 39 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. The following year Ellis stepped up his production and tallied 51 tackles and 15.0 tackles-for-loss.
Ellis' senior season was quite impressive. The 6-3, 280 pound West Palm Beach, Florida native did not get into the backfield too often, but he was a stud of a run stuffer. On the season he totaled an amazing 94 tackles. That is a mind boggling number for a defensive tackle. Ellis still tallied a couple of sacks and added five quarterback hurries. Ellis' ability to stop the run has catapulted him up draft boards. He has also put on a lot of weight and is probably closer to 350 pounds than his listed 280 and that should get him drafted in the second or third round."
***
Kenrick Ellis has a checkered history, to say the least. He's had weight problems in the past, and, coming from a small school, he's a bit raw.
But my GOD, does this kid command a NIGHTMARISH fusion of Size, Power, Speed, and shocking Athleticism.
If he harnesses his gifts, he has nothing less than Hall of Fame Talent.
Sleeper + Potential Super Star!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.