Academic success no sweat for Ellis

Arkansas linebacker Brooks Ellis (51) chases Kansas State quarterback Kody Cook for a sack during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

— Brooks Ellis is used to sweating profusely. He’s played football most of his life.

Even still, none of his gridiron experience prepared him for the trip he took to Belize in late May, an excursion into Mayan territory with a few biology classmates.

“I stepped off the plane and did not stop sweating the entire time,” the senior middle linebacker said. “Three nights I had no AC and that was probably the worst nights of my life. I need some AC to sleep, so those were fun nights for sure.

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http://www.wholehog…">Ellis at home in the middle

“But it was a great time, learned a lot, great experience.”

Ellis, a rare pre-med football player, won’t have to sweat schoolwork nearly as much this fall. He only needs to complete two more classes — an evolutionary course and a special populations exercise prescription class — to finish his undergrad requirements.

"Very easy and I'll be focused on football mostly, so it should be a great season," Ellis said.

Ellis’ academic prowess is well-known. So is his football talent. His size, acumen and ability have made him a mainstay on the second level of Arkansas’ defense for the last three years. He led the Razorbacks with 102 tackles last season and has 207 career stops. He is the center of Arkansas’ defense, the quarterback of the unit.

Arkansas will need Ellis to sweat a lot this fall, but at least he’ll get to sleep in an air-conditioned home.