Ellis McCarthy’s presence alone commands respect.
The junior defensive tackle from Monrovia High School stands an intimidating 6-feet-5 and weighs 295 pounds. His father, Ed, knew he had something special even at an early age.
“I thought I was raising a wide receiver,” he recalls. “He was always bigger than everyone else. But around the fifth grade he was just getting bigger and bigger, and I had a lineman in my hands.”
McCarthy was brought up to varsity his freshman year during Ryan Maddox’s first year as coach. The raw talent was obvious.
“We had a hard time blocking him at practice,” Maddox said. “He was still pretty green, but we knew he was going to be a beast. He just kept getting bigger and bigger, and he’s now turned into a major Division I prospect.”
McCarthy has caught the eye of Nebraska, LSU, Oregon, Colorado, USC and UCLA. He took part in the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio on the same day his teammates took part in a parade celebrating the school’s first-ever CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division championship.
McCarthy’s defensive prowess played a key part in the Wildcats’ success this season, earning him 2010 Pasadena Star-News Defensive Player of the Year honors.
When the ball snaps, that’s when McCarthy is at his best.
“That’s my favorite moment,” he said. “The goal is the same next year and win another CIF (championship).”
Natural talent alone is not enough, and McCarthy understood that.
“He really pushes himself,” Maddox added. “He’s obviously very gifted and blessed with size, but he’s really worked hard to get faster and become better.”
As for 2011 opponents, the best is yet to come.
