Former Penn State football safety Keaton Ellis signed an undrafted free agent (UDFA) contract with the Tennesse Titans, Penn State football announced Saturday. Ellis was the second Nittany Lion to sign as UDFA after Curtis Jacobs signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The State College Area High School graduate originally committed to the Nittany Lions with the recruiting Class of 2019 as a three-star defensive back. Ellis comes from a football family and his father, Bruce, played for the Nittany Lions from 1973 to 1976 while his uncle, Gary, played for Maryland a few years later.

Ellis made 13 appearances during his true freshman season where he recorded 18 tackles, forced three fumbles, and broke up two passes.

The safety remained a presence in the Nittany Lion backfield during the shortened 2020 season, starting in five of his six appearances where he notched 12 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception.

While appearing in 11 games during the 2021 season, Ellis only made one start and recorded 18 tackles and one pass defended. In 2022, though, Ellis started all 13 games for the Nittany Lions while posting 24 tackles, including two tackles for loss.

After being named a team captain after the 2023 spring practice window, Ellis appeared in all 13 games where he managed 17 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.

With his selection, Ellis joins a long list of Penn State defensive backs in the NFL, including Joey Porter Jr., J’Ayir Brown, and Jaquan Brisker. Ellis will be the only Penn Stater on the Titans’ roster.