California speedster Keenan Ellis committed to BYU as a 6-foot-1 170 pound wide receiver who could play as a receiver or a safety for the Cougars (Class of 2017).
100% Committed to #BYU #RepTheY #GoCougs @kalanifsitake @jernarogilford @Ben_bencahoon pic.twitter.com/HmNN9UDgNq
— Keenan Ellis™ (@Keenan_Ellis17) October 18, 2016
Ellis preps at Bonita Vista High School (CA), where he started his senior season in break-out fashion. In his first three games he had 13 receptions for 318 yards (24.5 avg, 106 ypg) and a touchdown. He also returned five kickoffs for 167 yards (33.4 avg), including one 95 yard kickoff return for a score. He has been out the last four games in order to heal up before league play.
Last season Ellis had 17 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown, and as a sophomore he had 12 receptions for 269 yards and two TDs. He also runs track for the Barons.
Ellis was rated 3-stars by Scout, 2-stars by Rivals, and was not rated by ESPN. He held a scholarship offer from Dixie State and saw recruiting interest from Arizona State, Cal, Illinois, LSU, SDSU, Washington State, and West Virginia.
| Hometown: | Chula Vista, California | High School: | Bonita Vista |
| Class: | 2017 | HT/WT: | 6’1”, 170 lbs. |
| Position: | Wide Receiver | 40m times: | 4.50 |
| Profiles: | MaxPreps, HUDL | 100m time: | 11.05 |
| Twitter: | @Keenan_Ellis17 | 400m time: | 49.03 |
| Offer date: | June 24, 2016 | Commit date: | October 17, 2016 |
| Rivals: |  (2 / 5) |
| Scout: | (2 / 5) |
| ESPN: | (2 / 5) |
| Average: | (2 / 5) |
I caught up with Keenan to ask him about joining the Cougs:
Q: Why did you choose BYU?
A: BYU is very excellent in academics as well as athletics, the fans are incredible.
Q: Why do you feel BYU is a good fit for you?
A: BYU gave me an amazing opportunity to get an education and play football. The coaches are very supportive and I feel that they will push me to become the best person I can be throughout my four years in college.
Q: What do you most look forward to in suiting up for the cougars?
A: Learning the game from the coaches, improving my craft. Being able to be a part of the cougar family, having teammates that will motivate me on and off the field. I can’t wait to be able to run through the tunnel, hearing thousands of roars and cheers from BYU’s outstanding fan base. I’m looking forward to contributing and making an impact on the team. Yeah
Q: What other schools were showing you love in the recruiting process?
A: SDSU, Washington State, Dixie State
Q: What are some of your favorites?
A: I love the James Cameron Avatar movie and I enjoy reading all of the Percy Jackson book series
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment in sports? In life?
A: Making it to the D4 STATE Championship, and making it to state for track (200m, 400m). Earning a scholarship to BYU to further my education.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”
Q: Who is a current player (collegiate or pro) that you seek to emulate on the field?
A: Steffon Diggs (WR, Minnesota Vikings)
Q: What are your personal goals for this season (2016)?
A: Returning back to state to contend for the championship.
Q: Anything else you’d like Cougarfans to know about you?
A: I’m a huge fan of Anime.
Keenan Ellis is a recruit for the BYU Class of 2017 For a comprehensive list of all of BYU’s c/o ’17 recruits and commitments click here. If you have any additional information or insight about this recruit, please include it in the comment section below.
