Ellis Lankster

Ellis Lankster
No. --  Free agent
Position: Cornerback / Special teamer
Personal information
Date of birth: June 3, 1987
Place of birth: Mobile, Alabama
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Prichard (AL) Vigor
College: West Virginia
NFL draft: 2009 / Round: 7 / Pick: 220
Career history
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2008 Second-team All-Big East
Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2013
Tackles: 67
Sacks: 1.0
INTs: 2
Forced fumbles: 1
Stats at NFL.com

Ellis Lankster (born June 3, 1987) is an American football cornerback and special teamer who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia.

He has also been a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and New York Jets.

College career

Lankster played his freshman and sophomore years at Jones County Junior College.[1] He finished his collegiate career at West Virginia University. He also played in the 2009 Senior Bowl.

Professional career

Buffalo Bills

On August 15, 2009, in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears, Lankster intercepted Bears' backup quarterback Brett Basanez twice within a span of 64 seconds. Both turnovers led to touchdowns for Buffalo, ultimately helping them win the game 27-20.[2]

Lankster got some playing time in the 2009 season as a cornerback in nickel defense situations, due to injuries to other defensive backs. Head coach Perry Fewell said of Lankster, "we think he's gotten better every week for us."[3] He finished the 2009 season with five tackles.[4]

Buffalo released Lankster on the deadline for final roster adjustments in the 2010 preseason, September 4.[5]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Lankster was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League on October 11, 2010. [6] He did not play for a period while learning the intricacies of Canadian football.[7]

New York Jets

Lankster signed a future contract with the New York Jets on January 5, 2011.[8] He was waived on September 2.[9] He was re-signed to the active roster on October 11.[10] His playing time greatly increased in 2012, including significant assignments covering fast receivers, following an injury to Isaiah Trufant.[11] He was released on September 1, 2014.[12] He was re-signed on September 12.[13] He was released on September 23, 2014.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Bobcat Football Bobcats In NFL". Jones County Junior College. September 8, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  2. ↑ Bronstein, Jonah (August 16, 2009). "BILLS: Ellis Lankster Rookie Card". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  3. ↑ Gaughan, Mark (November 21, 2009). "Bills notebook: Defensive injuries continue to mount". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  4. ↑ "Ellis Lankster Profile ESPN". espn.com. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  5. ↑ Jones, Tony. "Tough Decisions Made as Bills set 53-man Roster". Buffalobills.com. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  6. ↑ Edwards, Drew (October 12, 2010). "Ticats can get win and get in". Hamilton Spectator.
  7. ↑ Edwards, Drew (October 14, 2010). "New Ticat defensive backs learning as they go". Hamilton Spectator.
  8. ↑ "NFL transactions for January 5, 2011". Pro Football Weekly. January 5, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  9. ↑ Mehta, Manish (September 3, 2011). "Jets trim roster to 53; make two trades". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  10. ↑ Jets Media Relations Department (October 11, 2011). "CB Lankster Returns, LB Jones Waived". New York Jets. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  11. ↑ Martin, Kimberley A. (November 19, 2012). "Jets' Ellis Lankster draws tough assignment on Pats' Wes Welker". Newsday. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  12. ↑ Lange, Randy (September 1, 2014). "A.J. Edds Returns, Ellis Lankster Departs". New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  13. ↑ Mazzeo, Mike (September 12, 2014). "New York Jets re-sign CB Ellis Lankster". ESPN New York. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  14. ↑ Associated Press (September 23, 2014). "Jets release Ellis Lankster, sign Brandon Smith". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on September 26, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2014.

External links