Former Mizzou standout and NFL defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison joined the football staff as Director of Player Development in July, 2021. A Show Me State native and two-time All-Big 12 selection, Ellison will work with student-athletes to develop and cultivate life skills as they chase two dreams - football and a career beyond football.
After his professional playing career, Ellison transitioned to high school coaching, spending eight seasons at Battle High School (Columbia, Mo.), including the past two seasons (2019-20) as the head coach.
During his time as an assistant with the Spartans (2013-18), Ellison contributed to five district championships and a MSHSAA Class 5 state championship in 2014. As head coach, Ellison led Battle to back-to-back district championship appearances, including a district championship in 2020 when Battle beat Washington, 27-7, to advance to the state quarterfinals.
Ellison was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 2005 NFL Draft with the 25th pick in the third round (89th overall). He was a member of seven NFL franchises in his six-year professional career, most notably appearing in 15 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009 where he made six starts, had 16 tackles and 2.0 TFL.
Ellison was a three-year letterwinner and two-time All-Big 12 selection for the Tigers under Gary Pinkel. He produced 72 tackles, 14 TFL, 4.0 sacks and two forced fumbles while earning third-team All-Big 12 honors in 2003 as a junior. As a senior captain in 2004, he recorded 60 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Ellison, a St. Louis native, was ranked as one of the top defensive lineman in the Midwest after a superb prep career at Parkway South High School. Ellison earned all-state honors on the football field, all-conference honors on the basketball court, set the school shot put record and was a state qualifier on the track and field team.
Ellison and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of Tyson, Braylon, Alexandria and Rilyn. He is a 2017 Mizzou graduate with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
