Christian Ellis

A newcomer with unlimited potential ... Has already added 25 pounds through the strength and conditioning program ... Still turned in the fastest time in the 40-yard dash among the defensive ends during spring testing with a 4.56 clocking ... Was slowed by a shoulder injury while redshirting in the fall ... Made up a lot of ground during the spring ... Still needs to improve his consistency and become more physical ... Is being pushed to give top effort on every down ... Is going to get better and better as he adds strength and experience ... Has a chance to be a contributor this fall and a special player in the future ... 2003: Worked at defensive end while redshirting ... Had the best vertical jump (31 1/2 inches) among the incoming freshmen linemen and tied for the fifth-best overall among the incoming class ... Upped his vertical to 35 inches by spring practice, the fifth-best leap on the entire defense ... Turned in the top 40 time among the ends at 4.56 ... Posted a pair of tackles for loss during the annual Maroon-White spring game ... High School: Was ranked 66th on SuperPrep's Elite 100 list following his senior season ... Led Bethel with 50 tackles - seven for loss - and 10 sacks ... Played end and outside linebacker for Coach Tracy Parker ... Named an All-American by both SuperPrep and PrepStar as a defensive lineman ... Named to the VHSCA All-Eastern Region honorable mention squad as a defensive end ... Named to the first-team Newport News Daily Press All-Star Team as a defensive lineman ... A first-team Peninsula District selection at end ... Ranked the No. 13 defensive end in the country and the No. 3 prospect in Virginia by SuperPrep ... Rated the No. 21 defensive end in the nation by Tom Lemming on ESPN.com ... Rated the No. 157 prospect nationally and the No. 20 player in the Mid-Atlantic region by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report ... Ranked the No. 4 player in Virginia by The Roanoke Times ... Posted 75 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior ... Personal: Christopher James Ellis ... Born 2/11/85 in Hawaii ... Son of Eric and Laurie Ellis ... Enrolled in university studies.