View photos of DT Kenrick Ellis, who the Vikings signed to the active roster on Tuesday.
The Vikings added size and experience to the interior of the defensive line when they signed free agent defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis.
The fifth-year pro will replace 2014 seventh-round pick Shamar Stephen, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday.
Here are five things to know about the newest member of the Vikings:
1. New York, New York: Ellis was drafted in the third round (94th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He spent his first four seasons with "Gang Green," playing in 46 games and making five starts, but was considered a "super sub" by teammates, according to the Jets official website. Ellis was signed by the New York Giants this offseason and played in one game with "Big Blue."
2. Jamaica, too: Ellis was born in Jamaica and spent the first 11 years of his life there before moving with family to Greenacres, Florida, where he earned Class 6A All-State and All-Conference designation as a junior and senior. Vikings rookie Danielle Hunter also was born in Jamaica and lived there until his family moved to Texas when Hunter was 9.
3. Transfer student: Ellis started his collegiate career at South Carolina but transferred to Hampton after he played 10 games and made 11 tackles (3.0 for loss) for the Gamecocks in 2007. Ellis' career-high 94 tackles in 2010 were the most ever in a season by a Hampton defensive tackle. He finished his college career with 195 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 40.5 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback pressures and was a two-time All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection.
4. Heavy duty: Listed at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, Ellis is the second heaviest Vikings player, behind guard Mike Harris, who tips the scales at 338. Ellis was listed at 346 pounds by the Jets and Giants and 353 while at South Carolina.
5. Run stuffer: Ellis puts that mass to use by clogging holes in the middle of the line of scrimmage. He helped the Jets rank fifth in rushing yards allowed per game (93.1) and sixth in yards allowed per carry (3.8) in 14 games in 2014.
In 16 games in 2013, Ellis helped contain opponents to 88.3 yards per game (third in the NFL) and 3.4 yards per carry, which led the league. He had a career-high 27 tackles that season, including 17 solo.
