After Eddie George left for Bowling Green to become the new head coach, Tennessee State defensive star Sanders Ellis has entered the transfer portal. Ellis’ transfer is a significant loss for the Tigers, as he was a vital defensive pillar even as a rookie last season.
Sanders collected 86 tackles in the 2024 season, demonstrating his ability to dominate on defense. He also has 15.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, demonstrating his ability to pressure the opposition. In addition, he deflected two passes and recovered three fumbles. His outstanding performance in his second year earned him a berth as a finalist for the coveted Jerry Rice Award, which recognizes the top FCS freshman, as well as the 2024 Big South-OVC Football Association defensive freshman of the year.
Sanders entered the transfer portal and received multiple offers from notable Power Five colleges. According to his X account, he has had offers from Virginia Tech, Purdue, Auburn, and East Carolina. Perhaps the most prominent offer comes from his former coach’s current college, Bowling Green.
George’s efforts to restore Tennessee State, a blue-blood HBCU football powerhouse, to its former dominance have piqued the interest of the sports world, and he hopes to replicate his success at Bowling Green. Since taking over Tennessee State football in 2021, Eddie George has converted the team into a rising powerhouse. The team finished 5-6 in his first season, but they improved to 9-4 this year and won the conference championship.
George’s Tigers played off against Montana, the 2023 FCS National Championship runner-up, in a hard-fought game that ended 41-27. In his first press conference, George stated that he intends to compete for the MAC championship in his first year at Bowling Green.
“We’re going to find out who the leaders are that will emerge from this, because I have every ambition and intention of winning the MAC this year.” That is the goal, as is continuing the success of the program that coach Loeffler has left here. He left the success and sustainability in excellent form. Now it’s time for me to progress from good to excellent to elite.”
If Ellis joins him at Bowling Green, he will undoubtedly have a player who will contribute on defense.
