BREAKING: Penn State football safety declares for NFL Draft

With the deadline to declare for the NFL Draft coming next week, we are waiting to see if any last-minute prospects from the Penn State football team decide to make the jump to professional football. However, one player who we knew would not be back in 2024 was Nittany Lions safety and team captain Keaton Ellis, who exhausted his eligibility after the Peach Bowl. But Ellis decided to make his future plans official on Friday afternoon, announcing that he is officially declaring for the NFL Draft.

Penn State football safety declares for NFL Draft

Keaton Ellis has always been an easy person to root for because he loves Penn State. It was his dream to play for the Penn State football team, and you can tell how important it is to him. He’s had a journeyman-type career that started in 2019. During that season, Ellis appeared in 12 games, but at the time, he was a cornerback. Ahead of the 2021 season, he transitioned to safety, where he has been ever since.

Ellis never became the guy at safety, mostly due to the pure talent that has come through the Nittany Lion locker room. He played alongside Jaquan Brisker, Ji’Ayir Brown, KJ Winston, and Jaylen Reed, but his impact was seen on the field. During his Penn State career, he accounted for 89 tackles, three tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, in 56 games played.

Ellis played his last game as a Nittany Lion in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss, where he recorded three tackles in the loss. And now, Keaton Ellis is moving on to the NFL. In his official Draft declaration, the State College native expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill his dreams at his hometown program.

“These last five years will go down as the most memorable years of my life,” Ellis wrote on social media. “I am so grateful for my parents, my entire family, and the Happy Valley community for all the support they have given me over my entire football career here, both at State High and Penn State University.

“I will officially be declaring for the NFL Draft as I have exhausted my eligibility. I achieved my first dream of playing at Penn State and earning my degree, and now I am excited to chase my next dream.”

The State College kid

Ellis is as State College as any player on the team can be. He attended State College Area High School, where he rose through the rankings. He was a 4-star recruit, according to 247sports. He was named to the All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team first team by USA Today in 2018.

For a player who grew up in the area and was able to represent the Blue and White the right way for five seasons. Hats off to Keaton Ellis for a phenomenal career.

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