Ellis Is The Next In Line From Laurel
May 30, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – It wasn't that long ago that Mississippi State took an undersized offensive lineman from Laurel High School and turned him into an NFL first-round draft pick.
The Bulldogs are hoping to duplicate a similar success story with Malik Ellis in much the same way they did with current Seattle Seahawks tackle Charles Cross from 2019-21.
Like Cross, Ellis wore No. 67 during his prep playing days with the Golden Tornadoes and even learned the ropes from the future first-round pick when their paths crossed early on in his career.
"When I was in middle school, I came up on the varsity team and practiced with him," Ellis said of Cross. "He taught me a lot after practice and we got a lot of work in. He just told me to come in, do what I've got to do and I'll be fine and on top soon."
Unlike Cross, Ellis' collegiate career will begin at a different position. The three-star prospect is starting off as a tight end while he continues to grow into a tackle.
Ellis was able to graduate high school early and enrolled at MSU in January, but only weighed 230 pounds at the time. However, in just one semester in a college strength and conditioning program, he was already packed on 25 pounds of muscle and plans to be even heavier before fall camp begins.
"I want to beat that and be at least 270 by then," Ellis said. "It was very important (to enroll early) because I think if I would've come in August I'd still be in that 230 or 240 range. I feel like it was a good thing and gives me a better opportunity."
Ellis has already made an impact play at his new position during his short stint in Starkville. During the Bulldogs' spring game, it was Ellis that pulled out and made the lead block on the edge that opened up a 43-yard touchdown run by Lideatrick Griffin on a reverse. He also caught a 5-yard pass in that game as the State integrates the tight end position back into its playbook.
Ellis is being coached by a couple of new coaches on State's staff, Mike Schmidt and Will Friend. Coincidently, Ellis had already established a connection with Friend prior to either one joining the Bulldogs. Friend was recruiting the 6-foot-5 lineman while he was still an assistant coach at Auburn.
Their relationship has continued to flourish during their first few months together.
"He's been amazing," Ellis said. "I love a coach that's going to get with you and help you get better each and every day."
Friend and Schmidt, however, aren't the only people that have given pointers to Ellis during his brief time with the Bulldogs. Several of the veteran offensive linemen have also helped coach him up as he makes the transition to the college game.
"They've all taken me in and look at me like one of their little brothers," Ellis said. "I'm the only offensive lineman (from the 2023 class) that's here right now so all of those guys have taken me in and I love that."
Suiting up for Mississippi State holds a special meaning for Ellis. So many people from his hometown of Laurel were already big Bulldog fans during Cross' career and can continue cheering on one of their own now that Ellis is donning the Maroon and White.
"It's amazing to have people from Mississippi that love Mississippi State," Ellis said. "So I've already got a little fan base going for myself already."
The former Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selection had plenty of other suitors during the recruiting process, earning offers from Auburn, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Missouri, Oregon, Colorado, Kansas, Utah and a host of others.
But the amount of closeness he felt whenever he visited the Bulldogs' campus was what helped MSU win in the commitment of this talented in-state prospect.
"Since the day I stepped on campus, they've shown me a lot of love," Ellis said. "They didn't care how much I weighed at the time because they knew they could put it on me. From the day I committed until now, there's been nothing but love."
