FAYETTEVILLE — From the moment he saw Brooks Ellis lifting weights, Fayetteville defensive coordinator Brian Early realized he had a budding star with plenty of size and strength.
After all, Ellis didn’t look like a 15-year-old sophomore. He was already 6-foot-2 and had a long frame that could handle at least another 20 pounds.
Early couldn’t wait to see Ellis dole out a big hit in the spring. But when the time came for the sophomore to make a tackle in practice, the result didn’t live up to the hype.
“He was not a devastating tackler in the spring,” Early said. “Man, he would look really good going to the point of contact. You’d get excited, you’d think you’re fixing to see a big hit and then it’s kind of a letdown a little bit.
“He doesn’t do that anymore.”
Though a bit intimidated at first, Ellis has gained confidence as Fayetteville’s starting strong safety and is already garnering attention from Southeastern Conference schools with his big-play ability.
Heading into tonight’s highly anticipated game against Springdale Har-Ber (7-1, 4-1 7A-West Conference) at Harmon Field, Ellis leads Fayetteville with 57 tackles — 17 more than the team’s next closest tackler.
“I don’t feel as big as the seniors. I’m still a sophomore,” Ellis said. “But I feel like I’ve earned my position as a safety.”
Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton admitted he wasn’t initially sure where to play Ellis, who has a linebacker’s body and had played the position at Fayetteville Woodland. But Patton thought it would be best to “experiment” and try out Ellis first at safety.
Fayetteville’s coaches wanted a “quarterback” in the secondary to help prevent some of the big plays the Bulldogs gave up last season. And Ellis responded by recording a team-high 13 interceptions during 7-on-7 games in the summer.
“I was excited,” Ellis said. “I’ve always kind of wanted to play safety, but I don’t know, I’ve just always been a linebacker my whole life.”
Ellis has started every game this season at strong safety, and it’s become a common sight to see the sophomore running up and making a tackle at the line of scrimmage.
Ellis said he’s already receiving letters from Arkansas and Ole Miss showing interest in him, and Fayetteville’s coaches believe the safety could be a top Division I prospect by his senior year.
“Usually, when you’re starting sophomores, it’s not a good thing. But he’s extremely talented, a good ball player and he’s had a great year,” Patton said of Ellis.
“And he’s put himself in a position this year to get looked at by colleges in the future because he’s a talent.”
Today’s Ticket
Springdale Har-Ber at Fayetteville
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Harmon Field, Fayetteville
ON THE AIR: KQSM-FM 92.1; Cox Cable channel 14
RECORDS: Springdale Har-Ber Wildcats, 7-1, 4-1 7A-West Conference; Fayetteville Bulldogs, 6-2, 3-2.
HOOTEN’S RANKING: Har-Ber is No. 2 in Class 7A; Fayetteville is No. 5
HOOTEN’S LINE: Har-Ber by 1