Interview with a small school hero: Anthony Ellis, DE, Charleston Southern
Apopka, Florida has produced many solid football players in the NFL. Shoot Warren Sapp is just one of the famous players to come from the Florida High School in Central Florida. While many are talking about Martez Ivey who is considered one of the best offensive tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft, but I want to talk about a different player. Martez Ivey is good, but Anthony Ellis is a stud. Ellis plays for Charleston Southern, and he is being recognized as one of the best pass rushers in the Draft.
Anthony Ellis was named the 2017 Big South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season last week. Ellis was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2016 and earned All-America recognition from STATS, the Associated Press and Hero Sports last season. He was tabbed a 2017 preseason All-American by Athlon’s in June, and soon he will hear his name called. Here is our interview with small school hero Anthony Ellis:
What is your main goal going into your final season?
My main goal this year is to win a national championship
As a small schooler, how are you planning to separate yourself from the other big school players?
Every time I suit up I will work and play harder than them.
Who is the toughest player on the opposite side of the ball you have to face in practice?
We have some big boys on the offensive line, but either Alex Thompson or Joe Gold. Alex Thompson is a 6’3 270 pound offensive lineman from Spartanburg, South Carolina, while Joe Gold is a 6’3, 275 pound run blocker from Fort Myers, Florida.
Who is the most underrated player on your team?
Johnny Robinson, another young player from Apopka. He too is an edge rusher, and he has talent.
What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?
I took a Mission Trip to the Bahamas, it was a great time.
Why did you pick your current number?
No specific reason
If an NFL GM was reading this (Which they do), how would you sell yourself in a couple sentences?
You want a playmaker? A guy who will contribute to the team in anyway. I’m the guy!
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com