NFL CAREER – In his first season Ellis delivered on the promise of being selected seventh overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, ranking second on the club and fourth among all rookies with four sacks. He started all 13 games he played in - missing three near midseason with a knee injury - yet still recorded 42 tackles, deflected five passes and was in on a safety. Ellis - who as a three-technique defensive tackle has the strength to anchor against the run and the quickness to rush the passer - earned All-Rookie honors last season. One of the most coveted players in the 2008 draft, New Orleans moved up in the first round to land him by sending the 10th overall choice and a third-round pick to New England in exchange for the Patriots' seventh overall selection and a fifth-round pick.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to a five-year contract, 7/30/08; Drafted in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.

HONORS – 2008: Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie.

2008 – Immediately became one of the defensive line's top performers, ranking third among the linemen with 42 stops (14 solo)…Also had four sacks and five pass defenses…Started all 13 games he played, missing three games after undergoing knee surgery during the season…Had four tackles, including an assist on a tackle of RB Andre Hall for a safety at Denver, Sept. 21…Notched the first sack of his career vs. San Francisco, Sept. 28…Inactive for three weeks (10/6-10/19) after undergoing surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee…Had a sack, deflected a pass and three stops vs. Green Bay, Nov. 24…Made five tackles, tipped a pass and recorded a sack at Chicago, Dec. 11…Notched three stops, a pass defense and a sack at Detroit, Dec. 21.

COLLEGE – Three-year starter at defensive tackle for Southern California, finishing with 144 tackles (74 solo), 17.5 sacks, 28.5 stops for a loss, 13 pass defenses, one blocked kick, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries…Started 26 of 48 games in his career…Unanimous first-team All-American selection and recipient of the Pat Tillman Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior, posting 58 tackles (29 solo), 8.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries…All Pac-10 choice as a junior with 4.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick…As a sophomore started all 13 games at nose guard and had 50 stops, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble…Majored in sociology.

PERSONAL – Attended Chino (Calif.) HS, where he earned All-State and Prep All-American honors as a senior offensive and defensive lineman…Also competed on the school's track team.