Syracuse Football: Kalan Ellis adds strength, power, agility to offensive line

The Syracuse football future offensive line has received another huge boost, with 2021 three-star prospect Kalan Ellis opting for the ‘Cuse.

It’s a whirlwind week for the future Syracuse football offensive line, as Orange target and 2021 three-star offensive guard Lyndon Cooper chose N.C. State a few days ago, followed up by fellow 2021 three-star offensive lineman Kalan Ellis committing to the ‘Cuse late Thursday evening.

While it’s certainly a bummer that Syracuse football missed out on Cooper, the Orange is getting an absolute stud in the massive 6-foot-5, 350-pound Ellis, as listed in his bio on the 247Sports Web site.

Ellis, rated as a three-star prospect by both 247Sports and Rivals.com, is a rising senior at the Saint Louis School in Honolulu. He is the second offensive lineman in the 2021 recruiting cycle from the state of Hawaii to pledge his services to the ‘Cuse, joining three-star offensive tackle Austyn Kauhi out of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama High School in Honolulu.

Additionally, three-star offensive guard Wes Hoeh from Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Ill., has committed to Syracuse football, providing the Orange with a trio of talented 2021 offensive linemen to date. That is particularly encouraging since the ‘Cuse mightily struggled on the offensive line a season ago.

With Ellis on board, Syracuse football has 15 commitments in its 2021 class, with the Orange presently slotted at No. 53 nationally via Rivals.com and No. 54 at 247Sports.

Described as either an offensive guard or offensive tackle by the recruiting services, Ellis is the No. 1,348 prospect across the country in his class according to the 247Sports Composite, as well as the No. 66 offensive guard and the No. 7 player in Hawaii.

Per a review of the primary recruiting Web sites, Ellis held other scholarship offers from Atlantic Coast Conference foe Virginia, UCLA, San Diego State and Hawaii. According to his bio on the 247Sports Web site, he also had interest from teams such as Oregon, Northwestern, Oregon State and Nevada.

Given the recent pledges from these three offensive linemen, as well as others like 2021 three-star quarterback Justin Lamson with Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, Calif., Syracuse football is doing a commendable job of spreading its geographic reach in this recruiting cycle. That’s especially admirable because of limitations brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"Recruiting analyst Blair Angulo wrote an evaluation of Ellis earlier this year on the 247Sports Web site. Angulo had this to say, in part, about the latest Syracuse football commit. “Big, wide frame with strong lower half and projectable length. Strong, immovable lineman with power and impressive agility. Does well to set his base and stonewall defenders. Active hands and feet to counter pass-rush moves. Can body up defenders and hold his ground. Moves well in run game with ability to seal gaps and create lanes inside. Athleticism to slide his feet gives him line versatility, but projects best at offensive guard in college. Room to improve overall conditioning and physique. Potential multi-year starter at Power Five level with chance to garner looks from NFL Draft scouts.”"