By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

MOBILE, Ala. – Before the first whistle is blown or the first ball is snapped; you can’t help but notice No. 49. More often than not, a player with those digits stitched on his jersey is lined up at tight end or perhaps running back.

But don’t blink and shift your eyes to the middle of the defensive line. No. 49 stands out from the rest of the defense if for no other reason than the awkward number he sports. Dominant defensive tackles don’t wear this number. Awful defensive tackles don’t wear it either, for that matter.

It makes sense that No. 49 playing defensive tackle would stand out. But this version can get away with whatever he wants. You think he stands out because of his number? Just wait until the ball is snapped.

Southern California defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis is the man wearing 49. If his number isn’t enough, take a long, hard look at him when the ball is snapped. Ellis has the strength of a bull, is as quick as many linebackers and has some of the quickest and strongest hands of any defensive player in this year’s draft.

It’s no coincidence that the total package adds up to the player who is by far the most dominant player at this week’s Senior Bowl, regardless of position.

“He’s got all of the right stuff,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s a terrific athlete. He’s got great leverage, great strength and explosion. He loves the game and is smart. His quickness jumps out at you. He’s tough. He’s got everything you are looking for.”

Indeed, Ellis doesn’t seem to be lacking in any area on or off the field. For the better part of the past couple of months, Ellis has heard nothing but praise about the player many consider the best defensive tackle in the nation…LSU’s Glenn Dorsey.

That wouldn’t be so galling for Ellis if Dorsey was a quarterback or perhaps a wide receiver. But Dorsey plays the same position as Ellis. In his mind, Ellis is every bit as good as the man getting most of the pub.

“I definitely feel like I am just as good as he is,” Ellis said. “Not to take anything away from him, he did a great job down there at LSU, but I definitely feel like I am just as good as or better than he is in a lot of ways. I think when the scouts watch they will see that. It really depends on the flavor of defensive lineman that you like. Different people have different wants. I think some will like him better and some will want me and like me better. It just depends on who is picking and what the GMs say.”

So, what is Ellis’ flavor? Ask any personnel guy or coach in Mobile this week and they will gush and glow about Ellis all day long.

During one on one pass rushing drills, Ellis has been so good that they have double teamed him. And even that hasn’t been enough to slow down Ellis.

Ellis is listed at about 6’1 and 310 pounds, not exactly a monster in the middle of a defensive line. The knock on Ellis says he is too small to hold up at most of the tackle positions, an assertion which Ellis doesn’t believe.

Many NFL scouts believe Ellis is a better fit in a one-gap scheme similar to the type of defense played in Indianapolis or Tampa Bay. Although Ellis says he patterned his game after the likes of Warren Sapp, perhaps a comparison to Anthony “Booger” McFarland is a more accurate comparison.

The prevailing opinion is that Dorsey is a more complete player and is a level above Ellis, but the uber-confident Ellis believes he belongs in the conversation and he has something to prove this week at the Senior Bowl, a game in which most other projected top picks (Dorsey included) chose not to participate.

“My flavor is that I am a little shorter guy and I use my leverage a little more and I think I run sideline to sideline better than he does,” Ellis said. “He is a little bit bigger and he uses a little more bull rush to get straight up the field. It depends on what you are looking for.”

For any coach looking for a strong, quick, disruptive defensive tackle, Ellis certainly fits the bill. On the super-talented USC defense, it was easy to overlook Ellis, but he has played at a level that would lead one to believe he was one of the driving forces behind that defense.

In 2007, Ellis had his best season on his way to All American honors. In 13 games, Ellis had 58 tackles (12.5 for loss), 8.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

This week, Ellis is working hard at learning new techniques from the Oakland coaching staff, a staff that seems to be falling in love with him by the day. 

“I am very excited about my play,” Ellis said. “I think I have learned a lot from my defensive line coach. I feel like he is doing a great job teaching us. It’s really fun to learn new techniques and get some different perspectives on how to play the line.”

Some scouts in attendance believe Ellis is the only surefire first round pick in Mobile this week, but the thought of not participating never entered his mind. Ellis is enjoying himself in Mobile with eight of his USC teammates.

Although defensive tackle is a position of need for the Rams, Ellis might not be the ideal fit whereas Dorsey might make a better fit as a pass rushing three technique. Still, there’s no questioning Ellis’ potential impact on any team that selects him.

“There’s no doubt,” Carroll said. “I am glad to see Sedrick is out here competing and showing where he stands in all of this. This is going to really help show people who he is. He’s going to be a great asset to any team.”

As for that number, it will probably have to change because of NFL rules, but Ellis wouldn’t mind hanging on to it if possible.

“It’s a funny story,” Ellis said. “I had No. 99 in high school and somebody stole my jersey out of my locker about 10 minutes before the game. One of the coaches ran into the equipment room, grabbed a jersey and threw it at me. It was 49. I was all (angry) that I had to wear 49 and I went out and had a great game with a couple of sacks and a lot of tackles. I just decided to keep the number. It was lucky and it worked out.”