Penn State will have a veteran presence returning in its secondary for the 2023 season. On Friday, Penn State safety Keaton Ellis announced that he will return for a fifth and final year of eligibility.
Penn State safety and State College native Keaton Ellis is coming back for the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/BAv7X82WSB
— Johnny McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) January 14, 2023
The move should come as little surprise as Ellis is a Penn State legacy. His father Bruce played wide receiver do Penn State from 1972-76 and was on the team that advanced to the 1975 Sugar Bowl.
Ellis (5-foot-11, 198 pounds), a State College native, appeared in 11 games this past season and made one start. He recorded 24 tackles (18 solo) and six pass breakups. He provided depth at the safety position behind Ji’Ayir Brown, Zakee Wheatley, and Jaylen Reed as he made the transition from cornerback to free safety.
Ellis coming back is important because of the departure of Brown and will be needed to help usher in incoming freshmen King Mack, DaKarri Nelson, and Elliot Washington at the safety position.
Ellis figures to be a full-time starter heading into the start of spring football as Penn State will be looking to find someone to take a leadership role with both Brown and Joey Porter Jr. moving on to the NFL and Ellis should fit the bill.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
