Dvon Ellies announces return to Penn State for sixth season
Penn State defensive tackle Dvon Ellies acknowledged he had a decision to make following the Nittany Lions’ 2023 season. But, meeting with the media at the team’s local Peach Bowl media day on Friday, Dec. 15, the fifth-year performer kept that decision to himself.
“You know what, we’ll look at that after the game,” Ellies said. “We are just focused on getting ready for Ole Miss. Focus on Ole Miss. 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 every week. So, we’ll see.”
Grinning broadly, Ellies declined elaboration. Wednesday, though, that decision was finally made public.
Announcing via social media, Ellies has landed on a return to Penn State for his sixth season of college football. Reading simply, “God got me! Let’s do it” in the text, it was followed by a graphic announcing:
“I’m back.”
Dvon Ellies return big for Penn State DTs
The move marks a welcomed boost for the Nittany Lions’ defensive tackle room. Coming off a season starting for the first time in his career, Ellies acknowledged what it meant to have that opportunity.
“Euphoric. It was just amazing, to go out there every weekend, to know you have the opportunity, you’re blessed enough to go out there and start for Penn State is such an honor,” Ellies said. “Because we just have so many tremendous D-tackles, so many tremendous players on the team, and to be one of the chosen 11 to start off the whole game and set the tempo for everybody else, it’s a blessing.”
Over 13 games this season, Ellies started eight games for the Nittany Lions. He finished with eight quarterback pressures, notching 17 tackles. He graded out with his best performance of the season in the Nittany Lions’ Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss.
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In the wake of departures from Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac this offseason, Ellies becomes the most experienced returning piece to the Nittany Lions’ vaunted defensive line ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Enjoying his most prolific appearances as a third-year player during the 2021 campaign, Ellies went on to accumulate 1,086 total snaps.
James Franklin praises Ellies throughout 2023 season
Recognizing repeated leadership moments from Ellies this season, Penn State head coach James Franklin recognized the defensive tackle for his comments in the wake of a dramatic Oct. 28 win over Indiana at Beaver Stadium.
“Really proud of Dvon and his total development since he’s been here,” said Franklin. “Maybe one of the more impressive developments I’ve seen in my 13 years. I’m just so proud of him in school, in football, and as a leader. He spoke to the team afterwards, and what he said was something we talk about a lot.
“The best teams are honest teams. You got to be willing to have those conversations with each other. To me’s it’s always at its best when it’s player-led. When the players withhold each other accountable and have real conversations with each other, whether it’s at practice, locker room, game days, or Saturday nights.”
