Dannell Ellerbe

Dannell Antonio Ellerbe (born November 29, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He also played for the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.

Ellerbe attended Richmond Senior High School in Rockingham, North Carolina, where he was a two-sport star in football and track. He was named All-State by the Associated Press. He was named the Defensive MVP of the 2003 Shrine Bowl (NC-SC All-Star Game), in which he had nine tackles, three pass break-ups, and one interception. He made 124 tackles and five sacks as a junior and 165 tackles and nine sacks as a senior. Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Ellerbe was listed as the No. 7 outside linebacker nationally.

In track, he recorded a 1.98-meter (6 ft, 6 in) high jump as a junior. He also ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, bench-pressed 280 pounds, squatted 480 and had a 42-inch vertical jump.

Ellerbe was inducted into the Raider Athletic Hall of Fame in 2025.

Ellerbe went to the University of Georgia for five years. He played for four seasons after a redshirt freshman year. During his Georgia career, he played in 43 games, totaling 148 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three interceptions, two recovered fumbles, and one forced fumble.

He earned 2nd-team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press, Southeastern Conference coaches and Rivals.com as a junior. Ellerbe accepted an invitation to play in 2009 East-West Shrine game after his senior season.

Ellerbe was signed as an undrafted free agent during the 2009 season by the Baltimore Ravens. He had a large role that year for the Ravens. While starting three games, he recorded 41 tackles and an interception which he returned 28 yards in a Week 17 win against the Oakland Raiders.

In a 2010 preseason win against the St. Louis Rams, Ellerbe returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown but was yelled at on the sidelines by head coach John Harbaugh for showboating. Ellerbe had held the ball in front of him twice during the return. Ellerbe made the roster as a backup linebacker behind Jameel McClain, who also was signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent. Dannell Ellerbe's tackles dropped to 31, but he recorded his first career sack.