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LB, 6'2, 217, 4.6, 285 bp
Chattanooga, TN
High School: Red Bank
HS Number: 9
AL Number: 9
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: N.C. State and Tennessee
Host During Alabama Visit: Tony Dixon
Committed: November 17, 1997
Academic Status: Qualified
Stats
HS Junior Season
Tackles
Interceptions
HS Senior Season
Tackles
Interceptions
Honors
- Two-time All-Conference
- Two-time All-City
- All-State
- USA Today Honorable Mention All-American
Stories
Bama’s D Rules!
Oh, that ’92 Alabama defense. It’s legendary.
That defense did more than win a national championship. It won the hearts of football fans everywhere.
"I’ve always been a big Florida State fan," Victor Ellis says. "But when I watched Alabama that season I became a fan of their defense."
At the time Ellis was only in the seventh grade. He never dreamed that someday he would have an opportunity to play for the Tide.
"Alabama’s known for their tenacious, swarming defenses," he says. "It’s a great honor for me to become part of their great tradition."
It was during an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa last Fall when Mike DuBose offered Ellis the chance to become part of that defensive tradition.
"I told him that I’d love to be at Alabama," he says. "I knew that I wanted to play defense for Alabama."
Ellis spent most of his HS career playing free safety. But during the state playoffs last season he switched to middle linebacker. In two playoff games he made 36 tackles.
At 6’2, 217 pounds, and running a 4.6 40, Ellis appears to be an excellent outside linebacker prospect.
"I’ll be able to help Alabama because of my speed and tackling ability," he says. "I’ve always been proud of my tackling. When I get my hands on someone they’re going down."
The Battle of Hamilton County
Red Bank vs. Soddy-Daisy. It’s a big rivalry. The game last season was proof of that. There were 15,000 fans there. That’s the largest crowd ever to watch a HS game in Hamilton County.
"It was awesome with all those people in the stands," Victor Ellis says. "I was ready to play."
And play he did. He made 10 tackles, forced a fumble, and intercepted a pass.
"The interception was the favorite play of my high school career," Ellis says.
It was third quarter. Red Bank was clinging to a 14-7 lead. Soddy-Daisy tried a short out pattern. From his free-safety position, Ellis read it like a book.
"As soon as the quarterback released it I broke on the ball," Ellis recalls. "I stepped in front of the tight end and headed down the sideline. It was over."
Ellis returned the ball 38 yards for a TD, giving Red Bank a 21-7 lead. Red Bank went on to a 28-13 victory.
On The Recruiting Trail …
Randy, Don’t Lose That Number
In a game early last season against Cleveland, Victor Ellis made 12 tackles. It was an outstanding performance. A couple of Tennessee coaches were there to see it. But it was the last time they showed an interest in Ellis -- until the day he committed to Alabama.
"[Tennessee assistant coach] Randy Sanders called and asked why I committed to Alabama," recalls Ellis. "I told him because Alabama recruited me hard."
Sanders told Ellis that there was an explanation for the Vols’ apparent lack of interest. The Tennessee coaching staff had lost Ellis’ telephone number.
"That was kind of hard to believe," Ellis says. "Coach Sanders said that they wanted to offer me a scholarship. I told him it was too late."
Q&A
TI: You spent most of your high school career at free safety. When you switched to linebacker, how did you like it?
VE: It was different. But once I got the feel of it I liked it. I was playing in the middle because my coach wanted me to stop the run.
TI: Where do you expect to play at Alabama?
VE: I’m expecting to play outside linebacker.
TI: Will you play or redshirt next season?
VE: I haven’t talked to them about redshirting. If I’m ready to play, then I’ll play. And I expect to be ready.
TI: What are you doing now to prepare yourself for next season?
VE: I’m already on the workout plan they use at Alabama. I’m hitting the weights pretty hard. I weigh 217 right now. I expect to be 225 or 230 by next season.
TI: What’s your 40 speed right now?
VE: I ran a 4.5 before last season. I think I can get a 4.5 or 4.6 right now.
TI: People that know you say that you’re a classy individual. Do you feel that character is important in winning and losing?
VE: Yes, I think that it is. I’ve always been taught to never accept losing. Losing is something that will happen. But don’t ever accept it. You’ve got to keep on.
TI: Do you think Alabama will be able to turn around last season’s losing record?
VE: I’ve talked to some of the coaches about that. They don’t want this freshmen class to put too much pressure on themselves. We’ll get things turned around eventually. I’m not going to predict that it’ll be next season. But by my sophomore year we should be close to competing for the national championship again.
TI: You know that the Alabama fans are impatient, don’t you?
VE: Yeah, I know that they expect to win every game. That’s one thing that I like. Alabama expects to win. The fans expect it. We will win.
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