The spring transfer portal window may not be technically open for all players, but Eddie George leaving Tennessee State for Bowling Green opened it for TSU players for 30 days.
In response, TSU standout rising sophomore LB Sanders Ellis decided to enter the transfer portal with Virginia Tech being the first to offer him.
Virginia tech offered pic.twitter.com/BAf1pJZcPV
— Sanders Ellis (@SandersEllis4) March 13, 2025
The Nashville native Ellis had a standout freshman season at Tennessee State with 86 tackles including 15.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks. Because of that, he was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the top freshman at the FCS level.
His advanced numbers were quite good as well as he had 38 stops and earned a 67.8 defensive grade from PFF. That has led to him already receiving offers from Virginia Tech and Purdue, with more likely to come.
Ellis has three years of eligibility remaining plus a redshirt, making him a fascinating prospect who can be patiently developed if he is not ready to play Power 4 football immediately.
Ellis may not seem to necessarily be at a position of need, but he’s shown that he’s way better than the level he’s at. Additionally, Ellis would be able to provide some instant depth at minimum behind inside linebackers Caleb Woodson, Jaden Keller, and Jayden McDonald while also being able to push for playing time though missing spring football would be a set back.
Adding the 6’2’’, 225-pound Ellis would also help the Hokies backfill at inside linebacker after VT only signed one scholarship ILB in the 2023 and 2024 classes in Aycen Stevens who has since moved to defensive end. He would immediately be a piece for the future that the linebacker room could build around along with incoming freshman Brett Clatterbaugh and others.
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