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University at Buffalo senior offensive tackle Edward Ellis a native of Hamden, CT is going back to New England to launch his professional football career. The 6-7, 335-pound tackle was selected in the fourth round by the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon in the National Football League draft at Madison Square Garden.

He was the 125th player taken overall in the draft and is the first UB football player ever selected in the NFL draft. Gerry Philbin, a standout defensive end for the New York Jets, was the last UB player drafted by a current NFL member, but he was taken in the American Football League (AFL) draft in 1963. Ellis was a four-year starter at UB and helped the Bulls make the transition to Division I football. Ellis was one of the first full scholarship players signed to UB during its football upgrade and helped the Bulls go from a 1-10 season in his freshman year to 8-3 as a senior. Ellis, play at tackle helped the Bulls average 372.5 yards of total offense per game and 24.6 points per game. His blocking helped tailback Anthony Swan become only the third UB player in school history to go over 1,000 yards. At UB he played both left and right tackle and showed excellent mobility for his size.

"I hope this puts our school on the map, said an excited Ellis shortly after receiving word of his selection. "This is probably the sweetest thing in my life, particularly coming out of New England, where it's tough to get noticed. To come back and play in New England is going to be great. "I just want to go in and work hard and prove my worth to the organization, Ellis said. "I,m just so hungry to work and prove myself. Ellis was a projected late round selection whose stock continued to grow through his workouts with over 20 NFL clubs. He said it was difficult waiting for the phone to ring. "It was nerve-wracking waiting to get the word, he said. "Some teams were saying early fifth round but I kept telling myself, It doesn't matter when you go, you,ll prove your worth once you are there.

Then New England called and I couldn't believe I was going to be staying at home. I'm just thanking God right now for this opportunity. I think the keys were faith in God, hard work and determination because we all went through so much adversity here. "I thank Coach (Jim) Ward for giving me the opportunity to get an education and bringing me to Buffalo, said Ellis. "I also have to thank Coach (Craig) Cirbus and his staff for really turning the program around and helping me achieve this. Including his 11 years at Penn State, Ellis became the 11th offensive lineman that Cirbus has coached who has been drafted by an NFL team. Ellis reports to the Patriots' mini-camp on Thursday.