Missouri State

2015: Was a Preseason All-MVFC selection for his junior season … Missed the entire campaign with a preseason injury and was awarded a medical hardship.

2014: Played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman, earning starts at right tackle the last 8 games of the season ... Earned MVFC All-Newcomer Team honors as well as FCS Freshman All-America distinction by Tonysoftli.com ... Named MSU’s Offensive Lineman of the Week two times for games at Central Arkansas (9/20/14) and at Illinois State (10/25/14) ... Carried out 79 percent of his assignments and graded out at 82 percent overall for the season with 59 knockdown blocks.

2013: Redshirted his first season at Missouri State ... Named MSU Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week for road win at Western Illinois (10/26/13).

High School: Helped the Nevada (Mo.) High Tigers to an 8-3 playoff run as a senior in 2012 as a starting offensive and defensive tackle ... Earned consensus all-state honors and all-district, All-Ozarks and All-SWMFBCA distinction on the offensive line as a senior for coach Wes Beachler's squad ... Was also all-region on the defenisve line as a senior ... Played in SWMFCA Grin Iron All-Star Game in Springfield ... Was second-team all-state on the offensive line as a junior for a 6-4 squad as well as All-SWMFBCA honors ... Earned honorable mention all-region honors on both sides as a sophomore starter ... Was also a standout baseball player and wrestler at Nevada.

Personal: Sam William Ellifrits was born 9/27/94 in Nevada, Mo. ... Son of Randy and Tracy Ellifrits of Nevada ... Has a sister Joy and two brothers, Jeremiah and Andy ... Older brother, Andy, earned his Master's at MSU ... Majoring in English Education.