The Green Bay Packers are one of five teams interested in Hampton defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis, according to Aaron Wilson.
There’s a lot to like about Ellis, who’s 6-5, 346.
Ellis isn’t the typical small-school prospect who will need time to develop in the NFL. He started his career at South Carolina, before getting dismissed for disciplinary reasons and transferring to Hampton.
He’s competed at the highest level of college football and seems to have put the past behind him, as you’ll see in the interview below.
Ellis’ stock rose at the combine, when he addressed said issues.
“Be honest and upfront, that’s all I could do,” Ellis said. “Make everything transparent. Be honest, and hopefully it will work out.
“Being that I went through those things, I feel that I have grown and I have matured into a different human being. Where I was three years ago, I’m definitely not anymore. I feel like I’m a grown man.”
During his senior year at Hampton, Ellis recorded 94 tackles, including 15 for a loss, which are phenomenal numbers for a defensive tackle. He wasn’t playing against SEC competition, so you’d expect those type of eye-popping numbers, but 94 tackles are a hell of a lot wherever you’re playing college football.
Ellis doesn’t look like a fit for the Packers, considering [intlink id=”473″ type=”category”]B.J. Raji[/intlink] will likely be anchoring the defense at nose tackle for the next 10 years, but he could easily work into the rotation elsewhere. Towards the end of last season, the Packers played run downs with both Raji and the 360-pound [intlink id=”1337″ type=”category”]Howard Green[/intlink] on the line.
The Packers could very well be eyeing Ellis as Green’s eventual replacement. The team will also need to shore up their defensive line because [intlink id=”163″ type=”category”]Cullen Jenkins[/intlink] will inevitably leave during free agency.
Like Raji, Ellis appears to have some pass-rush ability, which is something Green lacks. That makes him a possible replacement for Jenkins, as well.
It would be a great get if we could get him anywhere past the 3rd rd!!