ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – UNM junior safety Christian Ellis is one of the players who stayed at New Mexico after the school fired former head coach Danny Gonzales. The move is working well for Ellis, who finished second in tackles for the Lobos last season with 59.
He has had a solid fall camp and looks to do even better on the field this season. Ellis has been like a sponge, absorbing all of the knowledge brought by new head coach Bronco Mendenhall and defensive coordinator Nick Howell.
Howell has experience coaching in the SEC which has been a great help to Ellis. “I did very good last year, but I’m looking to build upon that, really take that step to the next level,” said Ellis. “Last year I said it wasn’t enough, you know. We didn’t have a really good season. You know, just thankful for Coach Howell, Coach Mendenhall coming in and believing in me and really just pushing to get the best up out of me, you know, to really take me to that next level.”
Ellis, a Jacksonville, Florida native, patterns his game after the late great former NFL star Sean Taylor. “I grew up watching him, you know. He was like me, you know, can hit, just love football,” said Ellis. That’s me, love football. I don’t care. I just love to get the ball, you know. If the ball is in the air it’s mine.”
The Lobos will open the season at home against Montana State on Aug. 24.
