Player Focus: Gabriel Ellis - West Montgomery
Player: Gabriel Ellis
Class: 2016
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Height: 6'1
Weight: 250
Position: OG/DL
School: West Montgomery
Get to Know the Player
How would you describe yourself as a player on the field? Physically, mentally, etc.
I enjoy the physical part of the game. I have really worked hard in the weight room and on my speed and conditioning in the offseason to be even better on the field. Mentally, I try to lead by example. Even though I am just a rising junior, I have started on varsity for two years so I am developing my leadership skills to be a more vocal leader this year.
And which player do you model your game after or who would best describe you?
I really try to follow what Coach Eddins (HC) and Coach Braddock (OL Coach) say and play to our system and do what we need to do to win. They both played OL so they have the knowledge I need to be the best lineman on the field.
How has your recruitment gone overall in your eyes?
I feel it has gone well. I've really worked the camp and combine circuit pretty hard this spring. Between my recruiting profiles, hudl, and my youtube highlights, I have about 400 views. I just completed the Offense-Defense All-American camp at UNC-Charlotte and was named a camp MVP so I feel like I am getting ready for a big junior campaign which will be very helpful to my recruiting.
What offers do you currently hold from schools?
I do not have any official offers at the moment.
Which schools are showing you the most interest?
I've received the most interest in-state from Catawba. I know Appalachian State, Elon, and Gardner-Webb talked to Coach Eddins about me when they visited this spring. But most of the interest has come from out of state. I've gotten a lot of contact from Ivy League schools due to my academic record.
Have you planned any visits in the future?
I will be going to camp at Catawba and at USC in July.
Could you describe some of the schools you have been to and your thoughts on them?
I have been to camp at Clemson prior to my freshman year and I really enjoyed that experience. Having just completed the O-D camp at UNC-Charlotte, I was really impressed by their campus and their facilities. I also did the Blue Chip Academy at Mars Hills and I really liked the school and the mountains.
Football wise, what are you looking for in a school?
I am really looking for a good student-athlete experience. One of the coaches I have been talking with has called my style of play a road grader, so power run blocking is a strength and I like schemes where I get to pull a lot and zone block man to man. But, academics must also be emphasized. I want to major in engineering or math/physics so the work I do in the classroom will be equally important.
What have you been working on during the off season?
I have worked very hard in the weight room. I have gotten my bench up to 310 and my squat up to 425. I have also worked hard on my speed and agility. I have gotten my 40 to 5.0. I am most proud of my shuttle time, which is a good indicator for offensive linemen, as I was timed at a recent combine at 4.45. That is getting into linebacker and back times so I was proud of that.
What are your strengths & weakness on the field?
I think I have a high football IQ and I love the physical part of the game. I graded out at over 90% last year which was tops on the team. Our coaches grade hard too! I also had almost 100 pancake blocks. I only gave up one sack last year, but I am always trying to work on pass protection because that is a growing part of the college game.
What do you think you could provide on the field to a college team looking at you?
I will provide someone with a hard worker. I will be a good representative of the University. There would be no worries about what is going on outside of football or if I was getting the job done in the classroom. They would be getting a student-athlete with an incredible work ethic that wants to win and is willing to work hard to do it.
Any goals you would like to achieve before you graduate high school?
I would like to make All-State and win a state championship. Having been named an O-D camp MVP, I have accomplished making their All-American team as a junior which was a big goal this off-season. I would like to make the O-D Senior Bowl or some other All-American All-Star Bowl following my senior year.
How did this past season go in your own opinion for both yourself and for your team?
I felt I had a great season as did the team. I made All-Conference as a sophomore and the team finished as state runner-up in 1AA. I would have liked to have made All-State but my team had 3 players on the 1A All-State team already and they were very deserving. There will always be more good players than spots on the All-State team.
Stats
2013 (Sophomore Year) - 93% grade at OG - 98 Pancake Blocks in 16 games - Team - 14-2 State Runner-up…..2012 ( Freshman Year) - 87% grade at OG - 46 Pancake Blocks in 12 games
Highlights