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Ellis Lankster

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Ellis Lankster
refer to caption
Lankster in 2015 with the Buffalo Bills
No. 25, 26, 21, 31, 47
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1986-06-03) June 3, 1986 (age 38)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Vigor (Prichard, Alabama)
College:West Virginia
NFL draft:2009 / round: 7 / pick: 220
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:72
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ellis Lankster (born June 3, 1986) is a former American football cornerback. He was selected 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 Richmond/West Virginia Roughriders. He currently plays for the Iowa Woo.

College career

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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

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Buffalo Bills (first stint)

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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 (first stint)

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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

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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 (second stint)

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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 (second stint)

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

Atlanta Havoc

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

Iowa Woo

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

References

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  1. ^ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Bobcat Football Bobcats In NFL". Jones County Junior College. September 8, 2009. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  3. ^ Bronstein, Jonah (August 16, 2009). "BILLS: Ellis Lankster Rookie Card". Niagara Gazette. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  4. ^ Gaughan, Mark (November 21, 2009). "Bills notebook: Defensive injuries continue to mount". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  5. ^ "Ellis Lankster Profile ESPN". espn.com. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  6. ^ Jones, Tony. "Tough Decisions Made as Bills set 53-man Roster". Buffalobills.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 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 November 23, 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 September 2, 2015.
  18. ^ "Four more signings for Tiger-Cats | AM900 CHML | Hamilton News". Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  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.
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