The reigning Jefferson District defensive player of the year will join the defending ODAC champions next season.

Western Albemarle senior Austin Ellis will attend Hampden-Sydney next season, Western athletic director Steve Heon announced in an email on Monday. WAHS will hold a signing ceremony for Ellis at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Ellis was named Jefferson District defensive player of the year in 2011 after racking up 120 tackles -- including 11 for a loss -- as a linebacker for the Warriors. He was also named all-district at wide receiver after compiling 936 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Hampden-Sydney is coming off an 8-2 season, and a 51-41 loss to Centre in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The Tigers went 5-1 in the ODAC to clinch their second conference title in the past three seasons.