Sanders Ellis

2024 / AS A FRESHMAN AT TENNESSEE STATE • Jerry Rice Award Finalist and FCS Freshman All-American • OVC Defensive Freshman of the Year • Five-time BS-OVC Defensive Freshman of the Week selection • Appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman • Totaled 86 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two pass breakups • Finished second in tackles-for-loss and third in total tackles by an FCS freshman • Totaled 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff • Had a season-high 11 tackles and added a fumble recovery vs. Charleston Southern • Produced 2.0 tackles-for-loss vs. Eastern Illinois • Finished the season with 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries in the FCS Playoffs at Montana HIGH SCHOOL • Played three seasons at Station Camp • Totaled 229 tackles, 33.0 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions • Averaged 7.9 tackles per game in his career • Had a career-high 107 tackles his junior season • Also played running back and had 145 rushes for 886 yards and 13 touchdowns • Added nine receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns