All 105 is a Nittany Sports Now Series profiling each Penn State football player. In the series’ third article we will profile junior safety, Keaton Ellis.
Before Penn State: Ellis was a four-star recruit out of State College Area High School. In his senior year in 2018, Ellis recorded 51 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries on defense and on offense, he caught 50 passes for 888 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 263 rushing yards. He was ranked the No 130 prospect overall, the No. 14 cornerback, and the second-ranked player in Pennsylvania,
Both of his parents graduated from and worked at Penn State, with his father Bruce playing from 1973-76.
2019: Played in all 13 games, including one start. Ellis recorded 18 tackles, forced three fumbles, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. He also blocked a field goal against Minnesota
2020: Appeared in six games, including five starts. Ellis recorded 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception, and one pass breakup.
2021: played in all 13 games and started one at safety recording 18 tackles and breaking up a pass. He recorded a career he recorded six tackles in the Outback Bowl against Arkansas.
Where he stands: With the departure of Jaquan Brisker, Eaton should be the favorite to start along with Ji’Ayir Brown. Although he will get pushed by freshman Zach Wheatley. However, his biggest threat to a starting position is Jaylen Reed.
A quote about Ellis: Former defensive coordinator Brent Pry was confident about his switch from Cornerback to safety last season when he showed the ability last spring when he said,
‘We are excited about his abilities at the position.” He added “ Iwe need him, we’re comfortable put him back at corner. This wasn’t about him not being good enough at corner, it was about his best position being safety.”
