Shaun Ellis

MeShaunda "Shaun" Pizarrur Ellis (born June 24, 1977) is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Ellis was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round (12th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee. He is also known by the nickname Big Katt. Ellis was born in Anderson, South Carolina, mother Annie Clara Ellis. Ellis attended Westside High School in Anderson. Ellis was a stand-out defensive end at the University of Tennessee. At the end of his college career he had 105 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and one interception which he returned for 90 yards to score a touchdown. Ellis was selected by the New York Jets in the first round (12th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. He was the first of four first round draft picks that the Jets had that year. The other players drafted were John Abraham (13th overall), Chad Pennington (18th overall) and Anthony Becht (27th overall). Ellis was an immediate impact player and in his rookie season recorded 8.5 sacks. Only Hugh Douglas in 1995 with 10 sacks ranks higher in Jets history for most sacks by a rookie. After 2001 and 2002