GENTRY — Zach Ellis, center and defensive lineman for the Gentry Pioneers, signed this morning to play football for the University of Arkansas at Monticello next fall.
Ellis, accompanied by his brother and parents, signed to play for UAM at a special ceremony held this morning in the Pioneer Activities Complex at Gentry High School.
Ellis played football for the Pioneers throughout his years at Gentry High School. He was moved up from the freshman team at the end of the freshman season and has been a starter for the Pioneer varsity team since, adding strength to both the offensive and defensive lines, according to Brian Little, Gentry's athletic director and head football coach during the years Ellis played for the Pioneers. Ellis started playing as center in his junior year and has played nose tackle and all over the defensive line, Little said.
According to Little, Ellis took the initiative and attended a camp at UAM last summer and had opportunity to play in front of the coaches there. That, Little said, resulted in him being offered a scholarship to play football for UAM.
Coach Daniel Ramsey, who had sons playing on scholarships, helped guide and mentor Ellis through the process, Little said.
Little said he thought UAM was looking to play Ellis at center in the fall.