April 13, 2012

Western Albemarle's Austin Ellis signed a letter of intent Friday afternoon to attend Hampden-Sydney College next fall and play football for the Division III school. Ellis was named Jefferson District Defensive Player of the Year this past fall but will play primarily wide receiver for the Tigers. He also expects to see time on special teams.

"I really liked the program," he said after announcing his decision. "When I went down there I had a really good time on my visit, I met a lot of the players that seemed like great guys. Coach really came after me hard, kinda got me interested early and I just thought as a receiver I'd fit in there more comfortably."

Ellis was a first-team district selection on both offense and defense after finishing with 120 tackles seven touchdown catches.

"That last game, that Monticello game in the playoffs, I knew that wasn't going to be the last time I took my helmet off," said Ellis. "Everybody says there will be a time you take that helmet off for the last time and for me to get that opportunity to at least wait four more years is amazing."

Austin considered more than ten schools and said his original goal was to play at the University of Richmond, but now the senior is happy that things worked out the way they did.

"I think if i went there, I might not have played until maybe junior or senior year," he said. "So I thought Hampden-Sydney was probably the best fit. I can see the field , help them early and often and that's kind of what I wanted to do."

Ellis will start training camp on August 9th and plans to major in environmental science.