Ellis Hobbs III was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round (84th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft ... Signed by the Patriots (07/22/05).

View Ellis Hobbs's Career Statistics >>

GP/GS (Playoffs): 63/49 (8/7)

• In the 2007 season opener against the Jets, Hobbs recorded the longest kickoff return in NFL history, bringing back the opening kickoff of the second half 108 yards for a touchdown. At the time, it was also the longest play in NFL history.
• In three NFL seasons, Hobbs has started 33 of 47 regularseason games while totaling 151 tackles (125 solo), six interceptions for 87 yards, 30 passes defensed, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and eight special teams tackles. He has also returned 60 kickoffs (two for touchdowns) for an average of 27.2 yards. In addition, he has recorded two playoff interceptions for a total of eight career picks.
• Hobbs led the Patriots with two interceptions in the 2007 playoffs, including one pick in Super Bowl XLII.
• In 2006, Hobbs was part of a Patriots secondary that allowed just 10 touchdown passes by opponents, a mark that led the NFL and stands as the fewest allowed in team history for a single season.
• Hobbs recorded the first touchdown of his career when he returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score against Houston (12/17/06).
• As a rookie in 2005, Hobbs recorded three interceptions, tying for the team lead with Asante Samuel. Hobbs' three interceptions tied Tennessee's Reynaldo Hill for the NFL lead among rookie defensive backs and tied Hill and two others for second among all NFL rookies.
• In his debut as an NFL starter at Miami (11/13/05), Hobbs made an impact with eight tackles, an interception, four passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.

2008 (16/16/0/0):  Led the AFC and finished second in the NFL in kickoff return average as he racked up 1,281 return yards, a single-season career high in 2008 ... Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 15 after recording his third career kickoff return for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders ... Totaled 237 kickoff return yards on six returns, including an 81-yard return, to set a Patriots record for most kickoff return yards in a single game versus Miami on Sept. 21 ... Tied the Patriots franchise record with his third kickoff return for a touchdown with a 95-yard return during the second quarter of the Patriots' 49-26 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 14.

Kansas City (9/7):  Started at cornerback ... Grabbed one interception, one sack, three solo tackles and two special teams tackles in the Patriots' 17-10 victory over the Chiefs ... Intercepted a Damon Huard pass intended for Dwayne Bowe with 7:21 remaining in the game ... Sacked Damon Huard with 1:37 remaining in the game ... Returned two kickoffs for 70 yards ... His 51-yard kickoff return in the third quarter was the third longest of his career ... Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles.  at N.Y. Jets (9/14):  Started at cornerback ... Made two solo tackles while tallying two passes defensed in the Patriots' 19-10 win over the Jets ... Knocked down a deep Brett Favre pass intended for Jerricho Cotchery at midfield in the first quarter ... Broke up another Favre pass in the fourth quarter, stepping in front of a pass intended for Lavaranues Coles ... Returned two kicks for 53 yards. Miami (9/21):  Started at cornerback and saw action as a kickoff returner ... Set a Patriots record for the most kickoff return yards in a game with 237 yards on six returns, including an 81-yard return in the third quarter ... Made four tackles (3 solo) in coverage.  at San Francisco (10/5):  Started at cornerback ... Made three solo tackles ... Returned three kickoffs for 84 yards (28.0 avg).  at San Diego (10/12):  Started at cornerback and played on kickoff return units at the Chargers ...  Made four solo tackles ... Returned four kickoff for 79 yards.  Denver (10/20):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 41-7 victory over the Broncos ... Tallied two passes defensed and one solo tackle ... Batted down a Jay Cutler pass intended for Brandon Marshall in the second quarter ... Turned back a Patrick Ramsey pass intended for Darrell Jackson later in the second ... Returned one kickoff for 18 yards.  St. Louis (10/26):  Started at cornerback and saw action as a kick returner in the Patriots' 23-16 comeback win over the Rams ... Made four solo tackles ... Recorded one pass defensed ... Returned three kickoffs for 95 yards, including a game-long 49-yard return in the fourth quarter.  at Indianapolis (11/2):  Started at cornerback and played on kickoff return units ... Returned four kickoffs for 96 yards (24.0 avg.) ... Made one solo tackle in coverage.  Buffalo (11/9):  Started at cornerback and played on kickoff return teams in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Bills ... Collected his second interception of the season, picking off a Trent Edwards pass in the first quarter ... Made three solo tackles with one pass defensed ... Returned one kickoff for 13 yards.  N.Y. Jets (11/13):  Started at cornerback ... Made three tackles (2 solo) ... Returned five kickoffs for 135 yards.  at Miami (11/23):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 48-28 victory over the Dolphins ... Contributed a season high five solo tackles... Broke up a Chad Pennington pass intended for Ted Ginn Jr. in the fourth quarter ... Returned three kickoffs for 72 yards.  Pittsburgh (11/30):  Started at cornerback ... Combined with Richard Seymour on a 7-yard sack of Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter ... Tallied one pass defensed, breaking up a Ben Roethlisberger pass intended for Santonio Holmes on third down in the second quarter, forcing a Pittsburgh punt on the next play ... Contributed a season high seven tackles (3 solo) ... Returned four kickoffs for 91 yards.  at Seattle (12/7):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 24-21 comeback victory over the Seahawks ... Returned three kickoffs for 97 yards (32.3 avg.), including a game long 55-yard return in the second quarter, setting up a Patriots touchdown drive ... Made one solo tackle.  at Oakland (12/14):  Started at cornerback and played on kickoff return units in the Patriots' 49-26 victory over the Raiders ... Returned a second-quarter kickoff 95 yards for his third career kickoff return for a touchdown and tying the Patriots franchise record for career touchdown returns while giving the Patriots a 35-14 lead ... Returned three kickoffs for 126 yards (42.0-yard average) ... Made one solo tackle.  Arizona (12/21):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 47-7 victory over the Cardinals ... Tallied his third interception of the season, picking off a Matt Leinart pass in the fourth quarter ... Credited with one pass defensed ... Returned one kickoff for a 15-yard gain.  at Buffalo (12/28):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 13-0 victory over the Bills, their first shutout since 2006 ... Tallied four solo tackles.

2007 (16/16/0/0):  Started all 16 regular-season games for the first time in his career in 2007... Set an NFL record with an 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half of the Patriots' 38-14 season opening win over the Jets... The return was the longest kickoff return in NFL history and tied for the longest play in NFL history... Registered his first career sack on a strip-sack of Bills quarterback J.P. Losman in the Patriots' 38-7 win over Buffalo on Sept. 23... Tied single-game career high in tackles with eight and set a career high in solo tackles with seven in the Patriots' 31-28 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 25... Tied for the team lead in tackles with six in the Patriots' 38-35 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 29... Established single-season career highs in tackles (63), solo tackles (57), passes defensed (12), kickoff returns (35) and kickoff return yards (911) in 2007.

at N.Y. Jets (9/9):  Started at cornerback... Was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after he sped into the history books by returning the second half kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown, the longest ever kickoff return and matching the longest play in NFL history... Tied for second on the team in tackles with six and unassisted tackles with five. San Diego (9/16):  Broke up a Philip Rivers pass intended for Craig Davis during the second quarter... Registered two tackles (1 solo)... Returned three kickoffs for 66 yards with a long return of 28 yards in the fourth quarter.  Buffalo (9/23):  Started at cornerback  and returned kickoffs in the Patriots' 38-7 win over the Bills... Collected his first career sack when he blindsided Bills starting quarterback J.P. Losman for a 9-yard loss and forced a fumble that was recovered by Jarvis Green in the first quarter and the subsequent drive yielded a 24-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal... Tallied three tackles (2 solo) and was credited with two passes defensed... Returned one kickoff for 33 yards.  at Cincinnati (10/1): Started at right cornerback... Stonewalled Bengals running back Jeremi Johnson 1-yard shy of a first down on third and 5 in the first quarter, putting a Cincinnati drive to an end and forcing a punt... Broke up a Carson Palmer pass intended for Chad Johnson on third and eight to stall a fourth-quarter drive as the Bengals settled for a field goal.  Cleveland (10/7):  Started at right cornerback...  Broke up a Derek Anderson pass intended for Joe Jurevicius in the back of the end zone on a first-and-goal play from the Patriots 1-yard line in the first quarter... Tied a season high with six tackles (5 solo) in the Patriots' 34-17 win.  at Dallas (10/14):  Started at right cornerback... Led the Patriots secondary with six solo tackles in their 48-27 victory over the Cowboys.  at Miami (10/21):  Started at right cornerback... Returned two kickoffs for 67 yards, including a 48-yard gain in the fourth quarter that set up a drive that yielded a 16-yard Wes Welker touchdown reception... Tallied five solo tackles in coverage.  Washington (10/28):  Started at cornerback... Made three solo tackles and had a pass defensed in the Patriots' 52-7 victory over the Redskins... Matched Santana Moss stride for stride downfield and broke up a deep lob from Jason Campbell in the second quarter to help stall the Washington drive and force a punt... Returned one kickoff for a 16-yard gain.  at Indianapolis (11/4):  Started at right cornerback... Returned four kickoffs for 96 yards (24.0 avg.)... Tallied four solo tackles in coverage.  at Buffalo (11/18):  Started at right cornerback... Grabbed a Dwayne Wright fumble, forced by James Sanders, in midair and raced 35 yards for his third career touchdown, giving the Patriots their final margin of victory at 56-10 with 13:59 remaining in the fourth quarter...  Credited with two passes defensed... Tallied four solo tackles.  Philadelphia (11/25):  Started at cornerback... Led the team in tackles while setting single-game career highs in tackles with eight and solo tackles with seven in the Patriots' 31-28 comeback win over the Eagles.  at Baltimore (12/3):  Started at cornerback... Made two solo tackles in coverage in the Patriots' 27-24 comeback win over the Ravens... Broke up a Kyle Boller pass intended for Mark Clayton on third down, forcing a Ravens punt in the first quarter... Returned three kickoffs for 60 yards.  Pittsburgh (12/9/07):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 34-13 victory over the Steelers... Tallied four solo tackles in coverage... Credited with a pass defensed for batting down a deep pass intended for Nate Washington during the fourth quarter.  N.Y. Jets (12/16):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Jets... Broke up a Chad Pennington pass intended for Justin McCariens in the fourth quarter... Tallied two solo tackles in coverage.  Miami (12/23):  Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 28-7 win over the Dolphins.  at N.Y. Giants (12/29):  Started at cornerback... Picked off his first interception of the season while tying for the team lead in tackles as the Patriots became just the fourth team in NFL history to finish its regular-season undefeated with a 38-35 comeback victory over the Giants... Helped to cement the Patriots' victory with an interception of Manning on a pass intended for Burress with 9:59 remaining in the fourth quarter... Credited with his first pass defensed, breaking up an Eli Manning pass intended for Plaxico Burress in the second quarter... Dropped David Tyree for a loss of one yard on a swing pass from Manning in the fourth quarter... Registered six tackles (5 solo) with two passes defensed and returned two kickoffs for 42 yards.

2007 Postseason (3/2/0/0):  Jacksonville (1/12):  Played in a reserve role at cornerback in the Patriots' 31-20 win over the Jaguars... Made one solo tackle in coverage.  San Diego (1/20):  Started at cornerback... Picked off a Philip Rivers pass in the second quarter for his first career playoff interception and his second in his last three games... Tied for the team lead and led the secondary in tackles with seven solo tackles in the Patriots' 21-12 win over the Chargers in the AFC Championship Game... Made an open field tackle on Chris Chambers to stop the Chargers receiver short of the end zone and limit San Diego to a field goal try on a second-quarter drive... Returned two kickoffs for 39 yards.  N.Y. Giants (2/3):  Started at cornerback in Super Bowl XLII... Led all defenders with three passes defensed, including his second interception in as many games, and contributed one tackle in coverage... Picked off an Eli Manning pass intended for Steve Smith in the second quarter, stopping a Giants' red zone drive... Broke up a Manning pass intended for Plaxico Burress in the first quarter... Teamed up with Adalius Thomas to drop Brandon Jacobs for a 1-yard loss on the very next play in the first quarter... Stepped in front of another Manning pass targeted for Burress in the second quarter.

2006 (15/9/0/1): Registered his first career touchdown when he returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score against Houston (12/17/06) ... Led the team or tied for the team lead in passes defensed twice in 2006 (at MIN, vs. NYJ) ... Tied for the team lead in special teams tackles once in 2006 (at JAX).

Buffalo (9/10): Started at cornerback and notched three solo tackles in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills ... Matched up with Lee Evans and limited the receiver to just two receptions for 25 yards. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Started at cornerback ... Collected two solo tackles in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets. Denver (9/24): Started at cornerback and recorded six tackles (5 solo). at Cincinnati (10/1): Inactive. vs. Miami (10/8): Played in a reserve role at cornerback and safety ... Registered six tackles (4 solo) in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins. at Buffalo (10/22): Played in a reserve role at cornerback ... Registered three solo tackles and a fumble recovery in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills ... Recovered a Lee Evans fumble that was forced by Mike Wright on the final play of the first half. at Minnesota (10/30): Saw action as the nickel back in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings ... Collected three solo tackles and an interception in the victory ... Knocked the ball loose from Jermaine Wiggins causing an incompletion on a third-andthree play in the third quarter ... Snared a Brad Johnson pass at the goalline and returned the interception 70 yards late in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/5): Saw significant action as a reserve at cornerback ... Registered two tackles ... Notched a special teams tackle on coverage units. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Started at cornerback ... Registered two tackles and two pass defensed ... Broke up a pass intended for Jerricho Cotchery in the first quarter ... Saved a touchdown by deflecting a deep pass intended for Laveranues Coles in the end zone in the third quarter ... Stuffed Leon Washington for a 1-yard loss on a short pass in the second quarter. at Green Bay (11/19): Started at cornerback in the Patriots' 35-0 road victory over the Packers. Chicago (11/26): Made the start at cornerback and notched four tackles (3 solo) and a pass defensed in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears ... Knocked down a Rex Grossman pass intended for Bernard Berrian in the third quarter.  Detroit (12/3): Started at cornerback and registered four tackles ( 2 solo) in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions. at Miami (12/10): Saw limited action at cornerback and recorded two solo tackles ... Played primarily on special teams coverage units ... Returned a kickoff 51 yards in the fourth quarter. Houston (12/17): Saw action as a reserve at cornerback and as a kickoff return specialist in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans ... Notched three solo tackles and an interception in the win ... Stonewalled Andre Johnson for no gain on a short pass in the right flat in the second quarter ... Answered a Texans' touchdown drive by recording a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 34-7 lead with 9:37 remaining in the third quarter ... Intercepted a David Carr pass intended for Johnson late in the third quarter ... Registered two special teams tackles on coverage units. at Jacksonville (12/24): Started at cornerback and recorded three solo tackles in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars ... Teamed with James Sanders to stop Matt Jones for a 7-yard gain on a third-and-nine play in the first quarter ... Notched two solo special teams tackles on coverage units. at Tennessee (12/31): Started at cornerback ... Posted three tackles (2 solo) and a pass defensed in the Patriots' 40-23 victory over the Titans ... Knocked down a Vince Young pass intended for Brandon Jones in the second quarter ... Gave the Patriots good field position with a 40-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

2006 Postseason (3/3/0/0): N.Y. Jets (1/7): Started at cornerback ... Registered five solo tackles in the Patriots' 37-16 AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets. at San Diego (1/14): Started at cornerback and led the team with four passes defensed in the Patriots' 24-21 AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers ... Registered six solo tackles ... Knocked down a pass intended for Eric Parker in the first quarter ... Broke up a deep pass intended for Vincent Jackson in the first quarter ... Supplied a hit on Antonio Gates forcing an incompletion near the goalline in the second quarter ... Broke up a pass intended for Jackson in the fourth quarter. at Indianapolis (1/21): Started at cornerback ... Collected three solo tackles and two passes defensed ... Returned six kickoffs for 220 yards ... Saved a potential touchdown with a diving breakup of a deep pass intended for Reggie Wayne in the end zone during the first quarter ... Provided tight coverage on Reggie Wayne in the corner of the end zone forcing a third-down incompletion just before halftime ... Answered the Colts tying touchdown with an 80-yard kickoff return down the right sideline that set up a Patriots touchdown ... Defended a pass intended for Reggie Wayne in the fourth quarter ... Set up the Patriots go-ahead field goal with a 41-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

2005 (16/8, 2/2): Played in every game as a rookie and started the final eight contests at cornerback ... Finished second among all NFL rookies and tied for the team lead with three interceptions ... Recorded 42 tackles (30 solo), three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and three special teams tackles ... Returned 15 kickoffs for 361 yards. Oakland (9/8): Made his NFL debut ... Saw action at cornerback in the fourth quarter ... Scampered 37 yards on his only kickoff return in the second quarter. Pittsburgh (9/25): Saw signifi-cant action at cornerback and notched four tackles (2 solo). Denver (10/16): Saw limited action in the secondary ... Registered a special teams tackle on coverage units. Buffalo (10/30): Saw significant action at cornerback as the nickel back ... Registered a solo tackle and broke up a pass intended for Eric Moulds in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/7): Saw significant action at cornerback and collected a tackle ... Combined with Tedy Bruschi to stop Edgerrin James for a 2-yard loss. Miami (11/13): Made his first career start at cornerback ... Registered a season-high eight tackles (4 solo), four passes defensed, an interception and two fumble recoveries ... Collected his first career interception when he picked off a batted ball intended for Wes Welker in the fourth quarter ... Batted down a pass intended for Marty Booker in the end zone late in the fourth quarter to help preserve the close win... Halted a Dolphins' scoring drive by recovering a Randy McMichael fumble that was forced by Rosevelt Colvin deep in Patriots' territory in the second quarter. New Orleans (11/20): Collected six tackles (5 solo) ... Returned a kickoff for 23 yards to open the third quarter. Kansas City (11/27): Recorded two tackles and a pass defensed ... Deflected a pass intended for Eddie Kennison in the end zone on third-and-nine. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Notched six tackles (5 solo) and an interception ... Picked off a deep pass intended for Laveranues Coles late in the fourth quarter. Buffalo (12/11): Provided stride-for-stride coverage and intercepted a deep pass intended for Roscoe Parrish in the third quarter. Tampa Bay (12/17): Recorded two solo tackles and two passes defensed ... Broke up a pass intended for Joey Galloway with a big hit in the first quarter ... Broke up a pass intended for Galloway on fourth-and-one. N.Y. Jets (12/26): Collected five solo tackles and a pass defensed ... Broke up a third-down pass intended for Laveranues Coles ... Stonewalled Justin McCareins for a 2-yard loss on a screen pass on third-and-one in the second quarter. Miami (1/1): Started at cornerback and notched seven tackles (5 solo) and a pass defensed ... Batted down a pass intended for Marty Booker in the second quarter. Jacksonville (1/7): Started at right cornerback in his first career playoff game and registered four solo tackles ... Returned two kickoffs for 36 yards in the victory ... Stuffed Jimmy Smith for no gain on a pass play in the first quarter. Denver (1/14): Recorded four tackles (2 solo) ... Returned three kickoffs for 89 yards.

Recorded 209 tackles (155 solo), two sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, 29 pass defl ections and 3.5 stops for losses of 20 yards for his college career ... Also intercepted nine balls, gaining 121 yards on returns and scoring one touchdown ... Gained 490 yards on 24 kickoff returns ... Started 38 of the 49 games in which he played, all in a consecutive streak. 2004 (Senior): Started every game at right cornerback ... Ranked third on the team with 71 tackles (53 solo) and had 1.5 stops for losses of 12 yards ... Defl ected eight passes and gained 117 yards with a touchdown on five interceptions ... Returned 12 kickoffs for 288 yards (24.0 avg). 2003 (Junior): Started all year at right cornerback ... Recorded 71 tackles (51 solo) with a 3-yard sack and two stops for losses of 8 yards ... Recovered a fumble and caused another ... Had an interception and nine pass defl ections ... Gained 111 yards on six kickoff returns (18.5 avg). 2002 (Sophomore): Started every game at right cornerback ... Finished with 51 tackles (40 solo), a fumble recovery, two interceptions and twelve pass deflections. 2001 (Freshman): Saw action as a reserve cornerback, appearing in eleven games ... Recorded 16 tackles (11 solo) and returned six kickoffs for 91 yards (15.2 avg).

2007
AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Wk. 1)

2005
Pro Football Weekly/PFWA All-Rookie Team

Ellis Hobbs III was born the son of Nettie and Ellis Hobbs on May 16, 1983 in Niagara Falls, New York ... Was a threetime Iowa State Scholar-Athlete ... Received the Academic Athlete of the Year Award and was a finalist for Christian Athlete of the Year at Iowa State ... Uncle, William Gaines, played defensive line for Florida and later played for the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins ... Attended DeSoto (Tex.) High School ... Named to the All-Dallas Metroplex Area first-team ... Supporter of the Kids Café Program at the Chelsea, Mass. Boys and Girls Club ... Majored in Art and Visual Communication at Iowa State.

• Ellis' record-breaking 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the 2007 season opener was one of the most memorable plays of the season and set the tone for a record breaking year for the Patriots.
• In 2007, Ellis donated a portion of his wardrobe to local underprivileged children through the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.
• Ellis lists as an alternate vocation choice being an animator for Walt Disney. He majored in Art and Visual Communication at Iowa State.