Ellis fighting to start again for UNI football

CEDAR FALLS – Nick Ellis figured that November 11, 2017 would be the start of something special.

 

The redshirt freshman was making his first start for the University of Northern Iowa football team at right tackle. Ellis and the offensive line helped the Panthers to a 22-10 lead in the fourth quarter against Missouri State.

 

What had been a rash of lineman injuries afflicting the Panthers that led to Ellis getting the start caught up with Ellis himself, as he fractured his left ankle.

 

Ellis had surgery in January for a talus dome lesion in the ankle, which led to him missing UNI football's spring events.

 

"I was bummed," Ellis said. "I've just been on the grind since trying to come back. I'm 100 percent now and just been trying to get that starting spot."

 

Leading into the beginning of summer football activities, Ellis said he's been working with the training staff twice a day to get back to full strength.

 

"It's a mindset," Ellis said. "Trying to get that starting spot is all you should be thinking about. Watching countless hours of film, trying to correct yourself like everyone else. You have to practice with that mentality to get stuff done."

 

UNI returns three starters on the offensive line – seniors Ezrah Szczyrbak, Cal Twait and junior Jackson Scott-Brown.      

 

But offensive line coach Ryan Clanton is running practices right now under the assumption that all five spots on the line of scrimmage are open. Clanton said Ellis has been working on the inside line in early practices but will possibly be rotated out to see what his skill set is.

 

"The talent level has risen with a few guys back that we didn't have in the spring," Clanton said. "We're looking at an open 5, pushing the older guys to do better. We don't want anyone to get comfortable. We're trying to go from a good unit to a great unit."

 

Read more in the Aug. 15 Eclipse.

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