45 Collin Ellis Class: RS Freshman Hometown: St. Gabriel, La. High School: The Dunham School Height / Weight: 6-2 / 225 Position: LB

The 2011 Scouting Report: A talented redshirt freshman who has worked hard in the offseason and will challenge for playing time at NU's outside (SAM) linebacker position ... Possesses a great deal of athleticism ... Expected to be a key contributor on NU's special teams.

2011:Was battling for the starting outside linebacker position before suffering a hand injury during preseason camp ... Made his first collegiate appearance and start at Illinois ... Totaled three solo tackles, including his first career sack, against the Illini ... Credited with four tackles, including a TFL, vs. Michigan ... Notched five tackles vs. Penn State ... Racked up a career-most six tackles at Indiana ... Registered three tackles, including a TFL, at Nebraska ... Totaled three tackles vs. Rice ... Notched two tackles vs. Minnesota ... Credited with a hurry vs. MSU ... Had two tackles vs. Texas A&M ... Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

High School: SuperPrep All-Southwest Region, PrepStar All-Southeast Region and Rivals.com All-Region linebacker ... Ranked 48th among all players in Louisiana by Rivals.com, and 39th among all players in the state by SuperPrep ... Ranked third-best linebacker in state of Louisiana by Rivals.com ... 2009 first-team all-state and all-metro linebacker ... Two-time first-team all-district linebacker (2008-09) ... Honorable mention all-district selection as a sophomore ... Tabbed the district's Defensive MVP in 2009 ... A finalist for the Warrick Dunn Player of the Year Award in Baton Rouge his senior season ... Team captain ... Totaled 63 tackles and three interceptions in 2009 after notching 52 tackles and six interceptions as a junior ... On offense, played running back and rushed for 994 yards as a senior, 804 as a junior ... Two-time WBRZ Player of the Week (once in 2008, once in 2009) ... Selected to play in 2009 U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl ... Also led district in punting in 2008 ... Also ran track and played golf for the Tigers ... School's Honor Roll ... Coached by Joey Thibodeaux.

Personal: Born Collin Gregory Ellis ... Son of Becky and the late Greg Ellis ... Interested in pursuing an engineering degree.

The Ellis File

Q: Name five favorite songs (and artist) on your iPod:
A: "Roll With Me" by Montgomery Gentry, "Guys Like Me" by Eric Church, "Homeboy" by Eric Church, "Those I've Loved" by Eric Church, "When It Rains" by Eli Young Band
Q: If you could dine with anyone from any period in history, who would it be and why?
A: My Father, To be able to see him again
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned?
A: Take nothing for granted
Q: A song that best describes you and why?
A: "Roll With Me" by Montgomery Gentry.
Q: Something people would be surprised to know about me is:
A: I love chick flicks.
Q: My favorite place to visit is and why?
A: Profit Island, La. It's my hunting land and my favorite place to go.
Q: Which current NU football player is the biggest jokester on the team and why?
A: Rodrick Goodlow
Q: My favorite thing about NU is and why?
A: Playing Football
Q: Best part about being a Northwestern football player is:
A: Playing in the Big Ten
Q: Describe Coach Fitzgerald in five words or less:
A: Passionate, Intense, The Man
Q: Describe your position coach in five words or less:
A: Hilarious, passionate, in your face, caring. Need 6 words to describe him.
Q: Most humbling experience:
A: First day of full pads practice at Northwestern
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement and why?
A: Getting a scholarship to Northwestern.
Q: The best book I have ever read is and why?
A: The BIBLE.
Q: The person that inspires me the most is:
A: My father
Q: When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be:
A: Any good player at LSU.
Q: My favorite pregame ritual is:
A: In high school I would listen to "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC as my last song before going out, so I plan on doing that next year. Also I always packed my clothes in the order I would put them on.
Q: If you could have a starring role in any film already made, which movie would you pick and why?
A: I would be Achilles in Troy. Because he's the dude. But I would juke out the arrow that hit his Achilles maybe with a spin move, or sweet SWAT team roll.
Q: My favorite food is:
A: Boiled Crawfish
Q: My favorite thing about playing at Ryan Field is:
A: Coming out of the Tunnel.
Q: Best thing about Northwestern is:
A: The people and the awesome degree.
Q: My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be:
A: Making an interception, where I run over a lineman, give a few jukes, and then jump completely over the quarterback as I run into the end zone to win the Rose Bowl. Or something like that would suffice.
Q: My favorite television show is and why?
A: Anything on Sportsman Channel, because its awesome.
Q: If I were not playing football, I would be:
A: Hunting or Fishing every day.
Q: The three words that best describe me:
A: Outdoorsman, hyper, goofball
Q: My football-related superstition is:
A: Always close my eyes and pray at the National Anthem.
Q: If the Big Ten expands in the future, pick one school you'd like to see added and why?
A: Anyone who thinks they can hang with us, because they will have a nice surprise waiting for them.
Q: Which FORMER NU football student-athlete has had the most impact on your Wildcat career and why?
A: Nate Williams, he played fast, physical, and helped me a lot in becoming a better player.

Tickets/Future Schedules

2012 NGN Auction

The Team

Coaches' Corner

Camps and Clinics

2012 SPRING EXHIBITION

2011 Ryan Field Fan Guide 

BOWL CENTRAL

Ryan Field

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