He never played a snap on defense throughout his collegiate career, but one will take any opportunity when it comes to coaching. Ex-Alabama and Toledo quarterback Phillip Ely accepted a position at Iowa State as a graduate assistant on defense, according to the team’s website.
Ely played two seasons at Alabama (2011-12) under coach Nick Saban, as he was the lone quarterback signed in the team’s 2011 recruiting class. He backed up starting quarterback AJ McCarron on two BCS national championship teams, before making the move to Toledo in 2013.
After sitting out a year, Ely started to flourish some in 2014.
He completed 24 of 34 passes with four touchdowns in his debut against New Hampshire, but a knee injury would cause to him to miss the rest of the year after Toledo’s match-up against Missouri.
Ely returned healthy in 2015 (redshirt senior), passing for 2,965 yards with 23 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He guided the Rockets to a 10-2 mark, earning the team a share of the Mid-American Conference Western Division crown. Despite not getting on an NFL team, Ely has national championship experience and will deliver much knowledge to Iowa State.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
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