For his gridiron exploits this season Tennessee State linebacker Sanders Ellis was named an FCS Football Central Freshman All-Amwrican. Thrust into a starting role when Micah Gay was sidelined for the season with an elbow injury, the Nashville, TN was an immediate impact player.
The true freshman appeared in 14 contests, recording 86 total tackles (59 solo, 27 assisted), 15.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 passes defended. Ellis was named Big South-OVC Freshman of Week 5 times on the season, with the fifth coming after his 8 tackle (7 solos) 2 pass breakup performance in Tennessee State’s 28-21 win over Southeast Missouri that secured a share of the conference crown for the Tigers.
Ellis is also named one of the 25 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, which honors FCS Football’s national freshman player of the year. The Award’s previous winners include Cooper Kupp, Shadeur Sanders, and Trey Lance.
