Ellis Lankster

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{{Infobox NFL biography |name=Ellis Lankster |image=Ellis Lankster in 2015.jpg |image_size= |caption=Lankster in 2015 with the Buffalo Bills |number=25, 26, 21, 31, 47 |position=Cornerback |birth_date= (1986-06-03) June 3, 1986 (age 37) |birth_place=Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |death_date= |death_place= |height_ft = 5 |height_in = 9 |weight_lbs = 210 |high_school = Vigor (Prichard, Alabama) |college=West Virginia |draftyear=2009 |draftround=7 |draftpick=220 |pastteams=

|pastteamsnote = yes |highlights=

|statlabel1=Total tackles |statvalue1=72 |statlabel2=Sacks |statvalue2=1.0 |statlabel3=Forced fumbles |statvalue3=2 |statlabel4=Fumble recoveries |statvalue4=2 |statlabel5=Interceptions |statvalue5=2 |nfl=LAN676799 |pfr=LankEl99 }}

Ellis Lankster (born June 3, 1986) is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.[1] He played college football at West Virginia. He was also a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, New York Jets, Atlanta Havoc and West Virginia Roughriders. He currently plays for the Iowa Woo.

College career[edit]

Lankster played his freshman and sophomore years at Jones County Junior College.[2] He finished his collegiate career at West Virginia University. He also played in the 2009 Senior Bowl.

Professional career[edit]

Buffalo Bills[edit]

Lankster was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. 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.[3]

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."[4] He finished the 2009 season with five tackles.[5]

Buffalo released Lankster on the deadline for final roster adjustments in the 2010 preseason, September 4.[6]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats[edit]

Lankster was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League on October 11, 2010.[7] He did not play for Hamilton during his time with the club, rather he learned the intricacies of Canadian football.[8]

New York Jets[edit]

Lankster signed a future contract with the New York Jets on January 5, 2011.[9] He was waived on September 2.[10] He was re-signed to the active roster on October 11.[11] His playing time greatly increased in 2012, including significant assignments covering fast receivers, following an injury to Isaiah Trufant.[12] He was released on September 1, 2014.[13] He was re-signed on September 12.[14] He was released on September 23, 2014.[15]

Buffalo Bills (II)[edit]

Lankster signed with the Bills on August 17, 2015. The signing marked his return to the team that drafted him. He joined his previous head coach Rex Ryan.[16] He was released by the team on August 31.[17]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (II)[edit]

On April 15, 2016, Lankster once again signed with the Tiger-Cats.[18]

Atlanta Havoc[edit]

Lankster signed with the Atlanta Havoc of the American Arena League in December 2017.[19]

Iowa Woo[edit]

On February 23, 2024 Lankster signed with the Iowa Woo of The Arena League.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  2. ^ "Bobcat Football Bobcats In NFL". Jones County Junior College. September 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  3. ^ Bronstein, Jonah (August 16, 2009). "BILLS: Ellis Lankster Rookie Card". Niagara Gazette. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  4. ^ Gaughan, Mark (November 21, 2009). "Bills notebook: Defensive injuries continue to mount". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  5. ^ "Ellis Lankster Profile ESPN". espn.com. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  6. ^ Jones, Tony. "Tough Decisions Made as Bills set 53-man Roster". Buffalobills.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  7. ^ Edwards, Drew (October 12, 2010). "Ticats can get win and get in". Hamilton Spectator.
  8. ^ Edwards, Drew (October 14, 2010). "New Ticat defensive backs learning as they go". Hamilton Spectator.
  9. ^ "NFL transactions for January 5, 2011". Pro Football Weekly. January 5, 2011. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  10. ^ Mehta, Manish (September 3, 2011). "Jets trim roster to 53; make two trades". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  11. ^ Jets Media Relations Department (October 11, 2011). "CB Lankster Returns, LB Jones Waived". New York Jets. Archived from the original on October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  12. ^ Martin, Kimberley A. (November 19, 2012). "Jets' Ellis Lankster draws tough assignment on Pats' Wes Welker". Newsday. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  13. ^ Lange, Randy (September 1, 2014). "A.J. Edds Returns, Ellis Lankster Departs". New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Jets release Ellis Lankster, sign Brandon Smith". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. September 23, 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  16. ^ "The Official Website of the Buffalo Bills".
  17. ^ "Fred Jackson released by Bills". www.buffalobills.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-02.
  18. ^ "Four more signings for Tiger-Cats | AM900 CHML | Hamilton News". Retrieved 2016-04-19.
  19. ^ "Havoc sign former NFL Veteran DB Ellis Lancaster". atlantahavoc.com. December 19, 2017. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.

External links[edit]

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