Tennessee walk-on Alex Ellis surprised with scholarship (Video)
At the end of a team meeting, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones told his players that he’d be giving out a few gifts to players who had great showings during bowl practice.
The first player Jones called up, walk-on tight end Alex Ellis, received a gift all walk-ons dream of: a scholarship.
It was a very emotional moment for Ellis, who is in his fourth year with the program.
“I’ve been dreaming about this every day of my life,” Ellis said, fighting tears.
After not seeing the field during his first three seasons with the program, Ellis, a 6-foot-4, 238-pound redshirt junior from Del Mar, Del., appeared in all 12 games for the Volunteers this year and even made his first career start against Kentucky on Nov. 15.
Ellis registered six catches for 115 yards on the season, including a 31-yard touchdown on a fake field goal against Missouri on Nov. 22.
After going 6-6 this season, the Vols will play Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 2.
For more Tennessee news, visit VolQuest.com.
- - - - - - -
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
