Right now, here's what you're thinking: If he was that good, then why wasn't he drafted?
One reason is off-the-field issues. In 2006, when Ellerbe was 20, he was suspended for three games after being arrested and charged with a DUI, underage possession of alcohol, theft of automobile and giving false information to police.
He also had a serious knee injury that cut his playing time as a senior, dropping his tackles from a team-leading 93 as a junior to 33 in 2008.
"There might have been some things he did in college when he was young that probably hurt him," DeCosta said. "There are also some guys who just slip through the cracks like a Bart Scott or Priest Holmes. He is an aggressive kid, very explosive and has been outstanding for us."
The Ravens thought Ellerbe was worth drafting, but didn't want to use another pick on a linebacker after taking Utah's Paul Kruger in the second round and Texas Christian's Jason Phillips in the fifth.
But they pounced on Ellerbe as soon as the draft was over. It was surprising that Ellerbe signed with the Ravens, a team loaded with young linebackers, such as Gooden, McClain, Prescott Burgess, Antwan Barnes, Phillips and Kruger.
"We always practiced hard at Georgia, and you always play hard in the SEC," Ellerbe said. "It was like a blessing to sign here. Even though I didn't get drafted, I still can come here and learn from the best. It's like a perfect fit.
"You have guys like Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, they have helped me. In the coaches' room, Ray is always telling me what we did right and what we did wrong. I'm beginning to become comfortable with this defense in and out."
The next step for Ellerbe is seeing the game under real playing conditions. He knows there is practice speed and then there is preseason game speed. The NFL has two more notches, one for regular season and another for the postseason.
Ellerbe isn't afraid. He has matured through some tough times on the field and off.
"That draft weekend was one of the worst times in my life," he said. "I don't think I'm over it now, I'm just dealing with it better. I won't be over it until I prove myself in the NFL."
