Ellis Merriweather Bio
Ellis Merriweather is an American professional football running back currently playing in the United Football League. Born on April 7, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia, he has built his career through stints in the National Football League and the UFL after going undrafted in 2023. Merriweather is recognized for his rushing ability and has contributed at both the college and professional levels.
Standing 6 ft 1 in and weighing around 220 lb, Merriweather developed his skills at Alpharetta High School before advancing through the college ranks. He has since transitioned into a professional career that has taken him through multiple organizations, where he continues to pursue opportunities as a featured running back.
Early Life and Background
Ellis Merriweather was born on April 7, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in nearby Alpharetta. He attended Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he played football and developed into a steady contributor in the backfield. During his high school career, he rushed for 556 yards and six touchdowns while also contributing as a receiver with ten receptions for 77 yards.
Coming out of high school, Merriweather committed to play college football at Garden City Community College in Kansas. This decision gave him the opportunity to refine his game at the junior college level and prepare for a future move to a larger program. His performance at Garden City helped him earn attention from Football Bowl Subdivision recruiters.
Path to American Football
Merriweather spent two seasons at Garden City Community College, where he established himself as a dependable rusher. In 18 games with the Broncbusters, he totaled 910 rushing yards and ten touchdowns, showing the consistency that would later define his college career. Those numbers encouraged him to pursue a higher level of competition.
After his time at Garden City, Merriweather transferred to the University of Massachusetts, joining the UMass Minutemen. He sat out the 2019 season due to transfer rules before making an impact in 2020. The transition to the FBS level gave him the chance to showcase his skills against stronger defenses and on a bigger stage.
Ellis Merriweather Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Merriweather’s college career began at Garden City Community College in 2018, where he played two seasons. He rushed for 910 yards and ten touchdowns across 18 games, helping establish his reputation as a productive running back at the junior college level. His time with the Broncbusters provided a foundation for the rest of his playing days.
At UMass, Merriweather worked his way into a leading role over three seasons from 2020 to 2022. He posted 115 rushing yards in the shortened 2020 campaign, then broke out in 2021 with 218 carries for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns, adding 22 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. He closed his UMass career with 410 carries for 1,828 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 31 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown.
UMass Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Merriweather’s first extended action at UMass came in 2020, when he had 115 rushing yards and one reception for four yards. A standout moment arrived in week 6, when he rushed 39 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns to lead UMass to a 27-13 victory over UConn. He added another strong performance in the season finale, running 23 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to New Mexico State.
The 2021 season marked his true breakthrough at UMass. Merriweather logged 218 carries for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns, becoming the focal point of the Minutemen offense. He also contributed 22 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his versatility as both a runner and a pass catcher.
In 2022, Merriweather continued to be a featured back for UMass, highlighted by a 122-yard, two-touchdown performance against Arkansas State in week 11. He finished the season with 150 carries for 575 yards and three touchdowns, along with eight receptions for 48 yards. Across his three UMass seasons, he cemented himself as one of the program’s most productive running backs of recent years.
NFL Journey (2023–2024)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Merriweather signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 29, 2023, then re-signed to the practice squad before being released the next day. His brief tenure with New Orleans reflected the challenges many undrafted rookies face in earning a roster spot.
On November 6, 2023, Merriweather was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad, giving him another opportunity in the league. He signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on January 22, 2024, and remained with the organization through the following preseason. On August 27, 2024, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad, and on December 24, 2024, the Packers placed him on practice squad injured reserve, ending his season.
UFL Transition (2025–Present)
On September 2, 2025, Merriweather signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move to the UFL provided him with a chance to take on a larger offensive role than he had in the NFL. He made contributions during the 2025 UFL season as part of the Roughnecks roster.
On January 13, 2026, Merriweather was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft, further advancing his career in the spring league. His selection reflected his continued development as a running back capable of handling a featured workload. He now lines up at running back wearing number 35 for the Renegades.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Merriweather’s signature college moments came in UMass’s week 6 win over UConn in 2020, when he rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Minutemen to their first victory of the season. His 2021 breakout at UMass, in which he surpassed 1,100 rushing yards, stands as his most productive single season. Reaching the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and later earning a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers marked another important milestone in his career.
Ellis Merriweather Career Wins
Across his college career at Garden City Community College and UMass, Merriweather built a strong résumé as a productive running back, though the professional ranks have offered limited box-score opportunities. His most celebrated victory came during the 2020 college season when his rushing performance powered UMass to a 27-13 win over UConn.
UMass Highlights
Merriweather’s standout win at UMass was the 27-13 victory over UConn in week 6 of the 2020 season, when he ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries. He also played a key role in keeping UMass competitive in tight contests during 2021 and 2022, even when the team did not always come out on top. Those performances helped him finish his UMass career with 1,828 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Ellis Merriweather Family
Personal Life
Ellis Merriweather was raised in the Atlanta, Georgia area and attended Alpharetta High School. Public details about his family and personal life are limited, and he has kept that side of his life largely private as he focuses on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Merriweather’s entry into the United Football League after signing with the Houston Roughnecks on September 2, 2025. He joined the team as a running back looking to take on a meaningful offensive role, with the UFL offering more regular playing opportunities than he had seen in the NFL. His presence added experience from both the junior college and FBS levels to the Roughnecks roster.
During his time with the Roughnecks, Merriweather contributed in the backfield as the team competed through the UFL schedule. The season provided him a platform to showcase the skills he had developed at UMass and during his NFL practice-squad stints. His performances helped him earn the attention of UFL front offices ahead of the next league year.
Following the 2025 season, Merriweather was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft on January 13, 2026. The selection reflected his continued growth and the value he brought to the Roughnecks during the prior campaign. He now looks ahead to 2026 as a member of the Renegades, where he is expected to compete for a prominent role in the running back rotation.