For many high school athletes, the dream of playing professional football feels distant. But for ‘00 graduate Atiyyah Ellison, that dream began right here at South and turned into a reality through hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

Ellison played on the defensive line for South. In his senior year he had 47 tackles, 3 sacks, and earned all-state and all-conference honors. His impact on the school was so significant that his jersey was later retired. 

“I won all-conference, and everything was up from there,” said Ellison.

Off the field Ellison enjoyed school most when he was with his friends, 

“Hanging out in between classes was always my favorite part of school,” Ellison said.

Ellison said he first realized college football was a future possibility when he was a junior.

“We had a Junior Day at Mizzou, and they brought in agents and I was one of the main guys they wanted to speak to,” said Ellison.

Ellison also played basketball for the Patriots, earning all-conference honors and set a shot put record on the track and field team.

However, because of his grades, Ellison found out he couldn’t attend a big university by the time he was a senior.

“I didn’t qualify for good colleges because of my grades… But I felt I was too good for community college so that really humbled me,” said Ellison. 

This moment in Ellison’s life showed him that he still had work to do to get better and achieve his goals. Ellison spent his next two years at Coffeyville Community College before transferring to the University of Missouri. There, he became one of the top defensive players in the Big 12 Conference. By his senior season, he earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors, proving himself as a force on the field.

His performance at Missouri caught the attention of NFL scouts, and in 2005, Ellison was selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. His professional career included time with several teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers.

Ellison saw the most action during the 2009 season with the Jaguars, playing in 15 games and starting nine. He finished that season with 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks, marking the highlight of his NFL career.

Ellison now works at Mizzou as the Director of Player Development & Life Skills meaning he mentors athletes in academic and professional growth off the field. He takes lots of pride in his job and former school.

“I have a lot of pride in Mizzou, my sons both went to school here and my one son is about to graduate,” said Ellison.

Ellison has lots of advice for younger players like to make the choice to get better every day.

“It takes a daily choice to want to better yourself,” Ellison said. “It’s more about the effort you give than the scoreboard”

Ellison also believes a key to success is not making excuses for shortcomings.

“We all come from different environments that shape us,” Ellison said. “You can’t blame where you come from as the reason you fail.”

Many current South students find it reassuring to know someone from their school made it to the league

“It feels great, I feel like I really have a chance of going somewhere big with him already having that opportunity,” junior defensive end Landon Nickerson said.