In high school, Ellington played both basketball and football at Moncks Corner (SC) Berkeley located in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.[1] Ellington attended the same high school as his cousin, Andre Ellington. In 2009, Ellington played quarterback and led the Stags to the Division II-AAAA state championship in 2009 as a quarterback for head coach Jerry Brown. In the 2009 state championship game, Ellington rushed for four touchdowns. Ellington was a finalist for South Carolina's "Mr. Football" as well. On the hardwood as a senior, Ellington averaged 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists per game and was named the South Carolina Coaches Association 4A Player of the Year, the Region 7-4A Player of the Year, and the Post and Courier Athlete of the Year. Ellington was a McDonald's All-America nominee following his senior season. As a basketball recruit, Ellington was rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN (93 overall rating) and a four-star recruit by Rivals (24th-ranked point guard and 96th-ranked player overall). As a football recruit, ESPN rated Ellington as a four-star recruit as well and listed him as an athlete.[2]
College career
Ellington played both basketball and football at the University of South Carolina.[3][4] After playing only basketball in the 2010 season, he joined the football team in 2011 and played both sports throughout his college career. As a football player, he had 106 career receptions for 1,586 yards and 16 touchdowns.[5] As a basketball player, he averaged 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, three assists, and one steal per game.[6]
Ellington announced on January 3, 2014, that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL draft.[7][8] Although Ellington would forgo his senior season, he was still able to graduate with a degree in sociology during the 3 and 1/2 years that he was at the University of South Carolina.[9]
The San Francisco 49ers selected Ellington in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[11] He was the 17th wide receiver selected in 2014.[12]
On May 27, 2014, the 49ers signed Ellington to a four-year, $2.69 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $474,428.[13]
He caught his first career touchdown on a 20-yard reception from quarterback Blaine Gabbert against the Denver Broncos.[14] On December 20, 2014, Ellington had two touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers, an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Colin Kaepernick and a one-yard touchdown run, giving him three touchdowns in his rookie season.[15][16]
In the 2015 season, Ellington finished with 13 receptions for 153 receiving yards in 13 games.[17]
On September 10, Ellington made his Texans debut in a 29–7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.[23] He was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2017.[24] In 11 games with the Texans, Ellington had 29 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns.[25]
On March 14, 2018, Ellington signed a one-year contract to remain with the Texans.[26] He was placed on injured reserve on September 25, 2018, with a hamstring injury.[27] On October 31, he was released.[28]
Detroit Lions
On November 6, 2018, Ellington was signed by the Detroit Lions.[29] He was placed on injured reserve on December 22, 2018.[30] Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 31 receptions for 224 yards and one touchdown.[31] On February 15, 2019, Ellington was released by the Lions.[32]
New England Patriots
On March 14, 2019, Ellington signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.[33] He was released on May 8, 2019, with an injury designation.[34]
