Oct. 8, 2004
#24 Dwight Ellick
Senior, 5-10, 185
Cornerback
Tampa, FL/Wharton
Senior starting cornerback Dwight Ellick is in his fourth season at Notre Dame. A three-time monogram winner, Ellick has seen action in 35 games during his career, making 10 starts. Two weeks ago versus Washington, the veteran cornerback turned in one of the best performances of his career with five solo tackles and two assists. He also intercepted a pass and forced a fumble in the 38-3 win. Ellick came to came to Notre Dame after finishing his high school career at Wharton High School in Tampa, Fla. GameDay Magazine’s Bridget Viehmeyer gives Irish fans a chance to get to know Dwight Ellick.
Veihmeyer: Tell me about your major and why you’re interested in it.
Ellick: I am majoring in Entrepreneurship, because I like to be in control of what I do, and I like to be the boss.
Veihmeyer: What made you pick Notre Dame over the other schools you were interested in?
Ellick: I prayed on it a lot. I think the selling point was how well the players got along and how much of a family they were.
Veihmeyer: Who were your sports idols as a kid and why?
Ellick: My idols are Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith because when I was younger I wanted to be a running back so badly. They weren’t the biggest backs, but the heart they displayed when they played and the athleticism and talent they had definitely appealed to me.
Veihmeyer: As a football player is there anyone you’ve modeled your game after?
Ellick: I played running back until my senior year of high school, but around 10th grade I started to get more attracted to defense and looked more at someone like Deion Sanders or older players like Lester Hayes.
Veihmeyer: Who has been your biggest non-sports role model and why?
Ellick: My father is my role model. The way he takes care of business and our family, and the love he shows for all of us makes me love him more every single day. He loves my family with all that he has and seeing that all the time makes me want to be just like him.
Veihmeyer: What is one thing in your life you can’t live without?
Ellick: God.
Veihmeyer: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Ellick: Not really, but before every game I pray that God will be with me on the field and guide me.
Veihmeyer: What is the best advice that you’ve ever been given and who gave it to you?
Ellick: My parents always told me never to fear anyone.
Veihmeyer: How have you grown as a person since coming to Notre Dame?
Ellick: I’ve become more mature and I take things a lot more seriously. Everything that I do now I prepare for and I think that’s one thing I’ve done changed since coming here.
Veihmeyer: What is one thing about you that might surprise people?
Ellick: I’m a pretty open person–what you see is what you get.
Veihmeyer: If you were stranded on an island and could only eat one meal, listen to one song, and have one person with you; what would you eat, what would you listen to, and who would you pick?
Ellick: The food would be my dad’s cooking, the song would be “Juicy” by Biggie, and the person would be my brother (although my sister will probably be like, “Why didn’t you pick me?”).
Veihmeyer: What is your favorite movie?
Ellick: My favorite movie is The Wood, because it’s all about staying close with your boys. They’re all you have for the rest of your life.
Veihmeyer: What would a movie about your life be titled and who would star as you?
Ellick: The Life of Dwight Ellick starring Denzel Washington.
Veihmeyer: What is the toughest place you’ve played as a college football player?
Ellick: No one place stands out.
Veihmeyer: What CD do you have in your collection that would surprise people?
Ellick: I listen to rap, R&B, and gospel, but I think people know that.
Veihmeyer: Who are the best athletes you’ve ever competed against?
Ellick: Larry Fitzgerald of Pittsburgh, Mike Williams from USC and Braylon Edwards of Michigan.
Veihmeyer: If you had the chance to play golf with anyone in history, who would be in your foursome and why?
Ellick: Tiger Woods, because he’s the best golfer, Michael Jordan because he’s the best basketball player and Muhammad Ali because he’s one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Veihmeyer: When your football career is over, what do you see yourself doing?
Ellick: Growing old with my wife and loving my kids and grandkids.
Veihmeyer: If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be and why?
Ellick: I would be Wolverine from X-Men because he doesn’t take anything from anyone.
Veihmeyer: Describe what it feels like on gameday and playing in Notre Dame Stadium?
Ellick: You get an adrenaline rush that’s second to none.
Veihmeyer: What is your favorite thing about playing for Notre Dame?
Ellick: My favorite thing is getting to play each week with my teammates.