Ellis Merriweather Bio
Ellis Merriweather is an American professional football running back who currently plays for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL). Born on April 7, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia, he began his football journey in high school before working his way through junior college and a major college program. After going undrafted in 2023, he signed with the New Orleans Saints and has continued to build his professional career through practice-squad opportunities with the Green Bay Packers and a move into the spring football league.
Standing 185 centimeters tall and weighing roughly 100 kilograms, Merriweather has been recognized for his rushing ability and physical running style. His path from Alpharetta High School to Garden City Community College, then to the University of Massachusetts, and ultimately into professional football illustrates a steady climb through multiple levels of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Ellis Merriweather was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he grew up around football culture common to the American South. He attended Alpharetta High School in nearby Alpharetta, Georgia, and played for the school football team during his formative years. At Alpharetta, he rushed for 556 yards and six touchdowns while also contributing as a receiver, adding ten receptions for 77 yards during his high school career.
After finishing his time at Alpharetta, Merriweather committed to continue his football career at Garden City Community College in Kansas. The decision to attend a junior college allowed him additional development time and a clearer path toward a higher-level college program. His upbringing in Georgia and his high school performance laid the foundation for the next stage of his playing career.
Path to American Football
Merriweather spent two seasons at Garden City Community College, suiting up for the Garden City Broncbusters. During that time, he appeared in 18 games and rushed for 910 yards with ten touchdowns, demonstrating the kind of production that attracted attention from larger programs. His success at the junior college level positioned him to transfer to a four-year university.
Following his two seasons with Garden City, Merriweather transferred to the University of Massachusetts to play for the UMass Minutemen. The move marked his entry into NCAA Division I college football and offered a stronger platform to showcase his skills. His development across junior college and a major college program helped prepare him for the intensity and speed of professional football.
Ellis Merriweather Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
At UMass, Merriweather worked his way into the running back rotation and steadily increased his role. In the 2020 season, he recorded 115 rushing yards and one reception for four yards in a shortened campaign. He then emerged as a central offensive player for the Minutemen, with his production peaking during the 2021 season when he carried the ball 218 times for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns while also adding 22 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown.
During his 2022 season at UMass, Merriweather continued to handle a heavy workload. He rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 11 loss to Arkansas State and finished the year with 150 carries for 575 yards and three touchdowns, plus eight receptions for 48 yards. Across his entire UMass career, he totaled 410 carries for 1,828 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 31 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown, establishing himself as a durable and productive college back.
UMass Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Merriweather’s most defining college moment came in Week 6 of the 2021 season, when he rushed 39 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns to lead UMass to a 27-13 victory over UConn, the program’s first win of that season. He followed that performance with another strong outing in the season finale, carrying 23 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to New Mexico State. Those performances cemented his role as a featured back.
His breakout 2021 campaign, in which he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards, served as the springboard for professional opportunities. By the time he finished his UMass career, Merriweather had proven he could carry a heavy workload, produce against conference opponents, and contribute as a receiver out of the backfield.
New Orleans Saints Era (2023)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Merriweather signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. His entry into the league marked the official start of his professional football career. The Saints waived him on August 29, 2023, but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad before releasing him the following day.
Green Bay Packers Era (2023–2024)
On November 6, 2023, Merriweather was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad, giving him another opportunity to continue developing at the NFL level. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers on January 22, 2024, signaling the organization’s continued interest in his development.
The Packers released Merriweather on August 27, 2024, but re-signed him to the practice squad shortly afterward. On December 24, 2024, the Packers placed him on the practice squad injured list, capping a season that kept him within the organization even as injuries affected his availability.
Houston Gamblers Era (2025–Present)
On September 2, 2025, Merriweather signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League, the spring league that grew out of a merger of earlier spring football circuits. The organization later rebranded to the Houston Gamblers, the team for which he currently plays. His move to the UFL gave him a chance to take on a featured offensive role.
With the Houston Gamblers, Merriweather has taken on a significant workload as a running back, building on the production he showed at UMass. His transition from NFL practice squads to a starting role in the UFL represents a major step forward in his professional trajectory.
Driving Style and Strengths
Merriweather has been described as a physical, between-the-tackles runner who thrives on volume. His college statistics show consistent production across carries and receptions, suggesting he fits the mold of a workhorse back capable of handling 20-plus touches per game while also contributing in the passing game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Merriweather’s 171-yard, two-touchdown performance against UConn in 2021 stands out as his most celebrated college game. Crossing the 1,000-yard rushing mark during the 2021 season, finishing his UMass career with 1,828 rushing yards, and earning an NFL opportunity as an undrafted free agent all rank as notable milestones in his young career.
Ellis Merriweather Career Wins
Ellis Merriweather’s professional career has been defined by perseverance and steady production rather than headline win totals. His work at the NFL level came primarily through practice-squad stints with the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, while his move to the Houston Gamblers in the UFL opened a new chapter for on-field opportunity.
UFL Highlights
Since signing with the Houston Roughnecks, later rebranded as the Houston Gamblers, Merriweather has served as a key component of the team’s backfield. His UFL tenure marks his first opportunity for a sustained, featured offensive role at the professional level.
Other Wins and Performances
Across his college career at Garden City Community College and UMass, Merriweather built a résumé of strong performances, including a 1,138-yard rushing season in 2021 and multiple multi-touchdown games. His ability to produce against varied competition at the college level prepared him for the next stage of his professional journey.
Ellis Merriweather Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ellis Merriweather’s family background is limited. He was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and developed his football skills in that region before moving on to Garden City, Kansas, and later Amherst, Massachusetts, for his college career.
Personal Life
Details about Merriweather’s personal life, including marital status and family relationships, are not publicly documented in the available sources. He maintains a presence on social media under the handle associated with his professional profile.
2025 Season Performance
Ellis Merriweather’s 2025 season began with his signing to the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL on September 2, 2025. With the team rebranding as the Houston Gamblers, he took on a featured role in the backfield, bringing the physical running style he honed at UMass to the spring league. His arrival gave the Gamblers a between-the-tackles option with prior NFL experience.
Throughout the 2025 season, Merriweather has been a steady contributor for the Houston Gamblers, providing both rushing production and pass-catching ability out of the backfield. His experience inside NFL organizations, including stints with the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, has helped him adjust to the speed and complexity of professional schemes.
Looking ahead, Merriweather’s performance with the Houston Gamblers could position him for further opportunities, whether within the UFL or back in the NFL. His combination of size, durability, and proven college production makes him a player to watch as the league continues to grow.