Yet another excellent example of what verified athletic numbers can do for a football prospect’s stock, Glenbard West’s standout DB Mason Ellens ran one of the best 100M times in the current pool of Midwest multi-sport standouts, popping off a 10.77 100M in late April and running a 21.80 200M the same day. Before the blazing sprint, Elles held 11 FCS and FBS offers, the first of which came from Kent State in April of 2023, but that raw speed propelled him over that last P4 hurdle, and a week after the accomplishment Iowa State offered his first P4 scholarship. This preceded Iowa, Minnesota, and Boston College offers, and he already has official visits planned with the Cyclones and Hawkeyes.

Ellens has one of – if not the #1 – best special teams tape in the Midwest, and opens his tape with a series of fantastic returns. His 100M speed is showcased well as a kick and punt returner, where his explosiveness, ability to cut at top speed, balance, and acceleration helped him take 3 kickoff returns to the house (averaged over 50 yards a return), a punt return for six, and a couple of them he was barely even touched. He also proved himself to be a dangerous deep threat as a receiver who can also play RB if needed and is also a standout DB for the Hilltoppers. The younger brother of 2024 South Dakota football commit Julius Ellens Julius Ellens 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Glenbard East | 2024 State IL , Mason is comfortable playing the ball in the air and shows some good ball skills, he displays patient read steps, doesn’t waste movement, and accelerates out of his breaks in coverage. Able to play both CB and safety, Ellens also attacks blockers on the perimeter and is a physical run supporter who will meet WRs and ball carriers at the LOS, is a strong form tackler, comes downhill and closes with pace, and can make 1-on-1 tackles in space. Statistics are coming out that three-phase contributors, particularly TD-producing returners, go on to find success at the next level of ball and when you combine that with Ellens’ eye-popping speed, you have quite a strong resume as a prep football prospect.

Glenbard West is going to be nonstop busy with college coaches this offseason and offer a fun, high-potential crop of junior prospects who will have college suitors looking like kids in a candy store. Cornerback Mason Ellens saw himself debut highly in last spring’s 2025 ranking update as the #38 overall and #6 DB prospect and has been receiving a steady stream of college offers since word began to proliferate about Ellens‘ talent. Akron offered during the season and Illinois State and Kent State have joined in since mid-January, and he’s got the chance to keep that momentum churning as the offseason progresses.

Brings a good multi-sport track background to the table thanks to his 22.25 200M speed and an All-Conference Low and High Hurdler ability, the 6′, 175 lber. is going to get a lot bigger of a special teams shoutout than I’m used to handing out. Ellens‘ game-breaking speed shows up particularly well on special teams, where he’s an explosive kick & punt returner who processes and finds holes in kick coverage quickly and can get up to top speed in the blink of an eye. With three kick returns and a punt return housed for six in 2023, Ellens averaged a staggering 50+ yards per return can cut at top speed, and uses his excellent balance to stay upright through contact if a defender is lucky enough to attempt a lick on him. He makes returning look very easy and is undoubtedly the best I’ve seen while scouting talent so far this cycle. As a receiver and offensive threat, Ellens is a tough kid who will complete catches through contact and sports a shifty running style that finds and creates space well and does a good job of setting up defenders for big cuts in the open field.

Defensively, the 175 lber. can play CB or safety with equal impact, is patient yet decisive in coverage who shows off ball skills and smoothness out of his breaks, and can disrupt and compete on short, intermediate, and deep routes alike. Additionally, Ellens is a physical presence on the perimeter who will attack blocks and lay the wood in run support. He’s very comfortable as a tackler and is all over the field as a ready-made three-phase contributor.

While Ellens is potentially one of the best kick and punt returners in the country, the Class of 2025 star out of Glenbard West is also one of the best corners in the state of Illinois. The 6’0, 175 lbs defensive back has the smooth athleticism and quick twitch movements that all elite corners possess. Ellens has phenomenal cover skills, as he possesses the speed to run with any receiver, the discipline to play patience, and the technique to lock down the best wide outs the state has to offer. This do-it-all athlete is a rising star within the Land of Lincoln who can’t be missed.

The 5’11, 175 lbs defensive back and return specialist out of Glenbard West High School is beginning to see Division I Power 5 offers roll in. The only junior to be named to the IHSFCA 8A All-State Team, Ellens is a dynamic playmaker who impacts the game in a variety of ways. On special teams, Ellens is perhaps the top returner in the state, and the country, for both punts and kick offs. He has the speed, vision, and elusiveness to take any kick to the house. Defensively, he is incredibly stout in coverage and is a physical and sure-handed tackler in the open field. Keep an eye out this incredible prospect during his senior campaign next season.

The Glenbard West defensive back and returner was impressive in his junior campaign. He stands out most as a returner, as Ellens averaged over 50 yards a kick off return this year. He took multiple kick offs and punts to the house. His blazing speed and smooth athleticism also translates to the defensive side of the ball, as Ellens is impressive in coverage and is not afraid to get downhill and make tackles. Long story short, this dynamic athlete can beat you in a variety of ways. Being the only 8A underclassmen to earn his All-State nod, Ellens will return as one of the best in Illinois for his senior season.

One of my favorite DBs in a stacked-to-the-brim crop of 2025 defensive backs in the Land of Lincoln, Mason Ellens Mason Ellens 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Glenbard West | 2025 State IL was moved up to the varsity ranks of Glenbard West in week 5 of the 2022 season and made the most of it from the jump. The 5’11, 160 lbers. play made him an unchanging part of the Hilltopper’s defense, and I’m sure his affinity for contact helped keep him as a steady presence in Glenbard West’s secondary. #36 opens his sophomore film by crumpling a York ball carrier on the sideline off a half-a-dozen steps and continues the film with big hits and big plays all around the gridiron. Ellens goes all out into contact and uses his noticeable speed and acceleration to go full-out into opponents. He takes great angles to the football and uses consistent pad level to send kids flying, and can create big hits particularly well downhill from his safety spot or when running the alley to the sideline. Additionally, Ellens helps his teammates create big hits as well, and I cannot wait to see how a year in the weight room helps his physical prowess and pad-popping ability.

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