State College’s Keaton Ellis talks Penn State Nittany Lions, food, ‘freshman wall,’ and more in Q&A
State College’s own Keaton Ellis is in the midst of experiencing a rookie season to remember.
Penn State’s true freshman cornerback contributed immediately in 2019, playing in a little more than 25% of the total defensive snaps. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound DB is also tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles, alongside fellow defensive backs Lamont Wade and Marquis Wilson.
Ellis officially signed with Penn State on Dec. 19, 2018. So a full year has passed since then. And, for the first time since becoming a Nittany Lion, Ellis addressed reporters Thursday afternoon at AT&T Stadium ahead of Saturday’s Cotton Bowl against Memphis.
Here’s what the hometown student-athlete had to say with the Centre Daily Times:
Centre Daily Times: It’s been almost exactly a year since we were at your signing day ceremony in State College. So what has this past year been like for you?
Keaton Ellis: I would say that it’s really flown by. It really did. I didn’t expect it to go by this fast. To think that I’ve already been in college and been a part of this program for a year is crazy. But everything went really well for me. I’m glad with what I was able to get out of it so, yeah, everything really went well for me.
CDT: What surprised you the most here in Year 1? What was the hardest thing to get acclimated to?
KE: For me, it was the time — all your time is taken up with school and then the season. The season was a lot, with practices and all that kind of stuff. ... It was my first time doing all of it, so every day I went into it, it was new to me. So I was just trying to get acclimated to all that kind of stuff throughout the year — but it was a really fun year. I had a great time; I really enjoyed myself.
I feel like I settled in pretty well. I’m a lot more comfortable than when I first got here and a couple months after that, so I’m really starting to get comfortable. And as far as playing and getting some experience, getting used to the competition and that kind of stuff, it’s been really helpful just to go through this season.
CDT: Let me ask you an open-ended question here: What has been the highlight so far of your rookie season — whether it was a play, a game or an experience?
KE: I’d probably say my first White Out. That’s been a big thing; growing up around here, around State College, the White Out game is just huge. So that was probably the biggest moment for me at Penn State. That was probably the most exciting and biggest moment for me, personally.
It’s an amazing feeling. You get an adrenaline rush with everything. Just going out of the tunnel and seeing all the white, and the loud crowd noise, it’s awesome. For me, it was kind of nerve-racking at first, but I was able to enjoy myself. So it was a great experience.
CDT: At some point, you hit the dreaded “freshman wall.” Your position coach, Terry Smith, said you were able to get past that — so how did you?
KE: There was a period of time where I kind of just wasn’t getting better or worse; I was just kind of on a straight line — just flat-lining. And I kind of just rebooted, refreshed myself. I went home for a little bit, took some time and kind of just looked at it like I was just coming in. I looked at it like I was trying to earn a spot, and that kind of changed my mindset.
I was too comfortable during that time, so I had to push myself to get over that hump. And once I started doing that, everything started going back to normal. ... That was probably about halfway through the season.
CDT: What’s the best advice you’ve gotten your freshman season?
KE: I’d probably say just to have fun with it and enjoy yourself — because it can be a lot like a job, but have fun. Enjoy yourself. Because that’s the biggest part of college, the biggest part of life, just making sure you’re having fun and enjoying yourself. And the rest will follow.
That was from my dad, when I left. He said don’t take everything — take it seriously but don’t get so caught up with it that you’re not having fun.
CDT: How important was enrolling early to your immediate success? Do you think you would’ve had the playing time you did if you enrolled over the summer?
KE: It really, really helped a lot — as far as being able to get a hold of the academics and then just physically being ready to play. Coming in later, it’s harder to make that quick turnaround. So coming in early really helped me in every aspect of football and academics and school and lifestyle and everything. So it helped me a tremendous amount, and it’s the best decision I ever made. I’m glad I did it.
CDT: Let’s take a step back and look at the big picture: You’re in a pretty unique position with being a hometown guy. What’s it like playing so close to your old high school, which is about 3 miles from Beaver Stadium?
KE: It’s been really nice. After the games, I’ve been able to go right home, see my family and see anybody that came up — extended family, family friends — and I see my friends from high school all the time. It’s been really nice to keep those connections. And it’s really nice to be able to just sit back and get away from all that craziness that is college and that is college football.
I live like 15 minutes away. So whenever I can get a ride, I try to get home just to relax and have some normalcy, just be able to go home and watch TV. I’m blessed.
CDT: State High still had a heck of season, making it to the PIAA Class 6A state quarterfinals, without you playing both ways. What’s it been like following the Little Lions as a Nittany Lion now?
KE: It’s pretty cool to see a lot of young guys do their thing. They had a great season obviously, and a lot of guys that were under me and were able to learn from me, I still keep in contact with them and still try to help them out whenever they need anything. It’s been really nice being so close.
I was only able to catch one game. It was kind of a bummer. But it was just great to be in contact with those guys, and I watched them do their thing. I went to Mifflin County, so that was I think their first game.
CDT: You know a lot of fans around here, so I’m curious, Keaton: What has been your most memorable fan interaction this season?
KE: I’d probably say after the games, all the kids that wait outside the locker room. That’s a pretty cool experience. They’re waiting there for forever to get pictures and autographs, and just to see the smiles on their faces — it means a lot. It’s more than just football, and kids look up to us players. We’re a big part of this community, so we want to be good role models.
CDT: What personal goals have you achieved this season, and what career goals do you have left?
KE: Coming into this season, I just wanted to be a contributor in any way — whether it was special teams or playing (defense), and I feel like I met that goal. I was able to get a lot of good experiences, I was able to contribute positively to the team, and that was my main thing because I know some other accomplishments would come.
Moving forward, obviously, I want to have a starting spot. That’s everybody’s goal. So that’s what I want to work toward. And with that comes a lot of stuff but me, personally, I just think I got to keep becoming the best player I can be. And then all the accolades, whatever will come, will follow that.
CDT: As a big guy, I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask you at least one food question. You’ve lived here your whole life, so I’m interested in what the local cornerback’s go-to place to eat is around State College. What’s your favorite spot?
KE: Faccia Luna. That’s my spot. Oven-brick pizza, Italian food, all that stuff — it’s really good. So that’s my spot. Faccia Luna.
CDT: When it’s not football or schoolwork, what are you doing to relax?
KE: For me, I’m not really a video game guy — so it’s either hanging out with my friends, either in someone’s basement or someone’s house, just hanging out and getting food with them, or just watching Netflix. I could just be by myself watching Netflix and just hanging out for a while.
CDT: Last Netflix show you binged?
KE: Bad Blood.
CDT: And last question for you, Keaton: How would you describe your first overall season here at Penn State?
KE: It was great. I was able to make a lot of friends, enjoy myself and also able to learn and become a better football player and contribute to this team. So that’s all I could ask for for this first season, and I’m excited for the future.
