Having paved his way from Mancos High School through the University of Utah to the NFL, Bluejay alum and current Ute defensive tackle coach Luther Elliss knows a thing or two about breaking into the big time.
Coaching his son for the past three seasons in Salt Lake City, Elliss watched on proudly as one of his former teams called the name of his son, Jonah Elliss.
The Denver Broncos drafted Jonah Elliss at No. 76 overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jonah Elliss became the third member of the family to play in the league. His older brother Kaden is in his sixth season, playing with the Atlanta Falcons, after starting his career with the New Orleans Saints.
Luther Elliss, who played for Mancos in the late 1980s, had an All-American career with the Utes in the early 1990s. He then had a 10-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions and Broncos.
Jonah Elliss earned consensus All-American designations from this past season, collecting 12 sacks and 16 tackles-for-loss, placing him among the national leaders in both categories. He was top recruit out of Idaho and made immediate contributions with Utah. He played in every game as a freshman, and turning into a force on the defensive line with his father providing guidance.
Jonah Elliss is one of Luther’s four sons. The two youngest brothers, Christian and Noah, both play football for the University of Idaho.
One of Luther Elliss’s jerseys hangs in the atrium of the MHS Fieldhouse.
