2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Jonah Elliss, DL/Edge, Utah
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Jonah Elliss was a 3-star prospect out of Moscow Senior High School in Moscow, ID. He comes from a lineage of NFL players. His father was selected in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. The current New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss is his older brother. Jonah committed to Utah in August of 2020.
In 2021 he saw action in 13 total games. One of those games was the Rose Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes. He would acquire 16 total tackles with one sack that season.
His sophomore season showed improvement across the board. Through 11 games he posted 26 total tackles with 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. He also had 2 fumbles forced.
For the past few seasons, the Utah Ute’s defense has been a force. Part of that reason is the continued growth of defensive players like Jonah Elliss. 2023 was no different. He continued to improve across the board. Through 10 games Elliss posted career highs in total tackles (37), sacks (12), and tackles for loss (13).
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2021 | Utah | Pac-12 | FR | LB | 9 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| *2022 | Utah | Pac-12 | SO | 11 | 15 | 11 | 26 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| *2023 | Utah | Pac-12 | JR | DE | 10 | 23 | 14 | 37 | 16.0 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Career | Utah | 47 | 31 | 78 | 23.0 | 16.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Versatility. He can play down on the line or off the edge.
- Awareness. He knows where the ball is regardless of where he is on the field.
- He is Agile against his blockers. He utilizes his hands to dip around defenders causing havoc in the backfield.
- Quick burst off the line. His IQ for the game allows him to know when the ball is snapped to the blockers off the line.
- Not super quick. But does have the speed to drop into coverage if needed.
Weaknesses
- Seems like a one-trick pony. There were multiple games throughout his career where once the offence figured him out he was a non-factor.
- Although he does have the strength he does not bully blockers at the line. Relies on his agility and quick burst to beat blockers. Again once he figures it out, it becomes a non-factor.
- Rough around the edges. Has the tools & size to be a dominant force. But proper coaching is needed to smoothen out the rough parts of his tape.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Late Round 2
Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are in a somewhat win-now mode. But most of their struggles this past year came from the defensive side of the ball. They need help in their secondary. More importantly, they need help on their defensive line to bring pressure. It seems Aaron Donald is the only one who does this.
That is where Jonah Ellis comes in. They can push their luck and hope he gets to round 3. But he would be a solid addition to learn from an elite pass rusher like Donald. A dominant veteran can teach the young pass rusher a thing or two.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 3.76 to the Denver Broncos
Elliss
