There’s no doubt that Kadyn Ellis is locked in on personal achievement—but his goals extend far beyond stats. “I was all-district and all-league last year,” Ellis said. “I would like to be all-state this year.” The Fredonia senior isn’t chasing recognition just for the title—he’s doing it to elevate his team and leave a legacy. 

Fredonia’s preparation for the upcoming football season has taken a new turn. “We have prepared differently by installing new schemes both offensively and defensively,” said Ellis. The Yellowjackets are evolving, and that starts with how they think and train. “The biggest improvement I’ve seen out of this team so far is the commitment in showing up to weights and our skills training,” he added. 

It’s not just about improvement—it’s about chasing championships. “I think the team goal is to compete for a district title and a league title, with making as deep of a run as we can in playoffs,” said Ellis. 

Speed and savvy are what Fredonia will bring to the table this fall. “Our biggest strength is our skill position,” Ellis said. “We have good speed and a lot of experienced guys returning.” 

Kadyn plays both sides of the ball—at running back and defensive back—and sees the field through a dynamic lens. “Pre-snap, I look for linebackers and their tendencies on gap blitzes,” he said. “But most of my reads will happen when I have the ball and are purely reaction time.” 

Mindset matters, and Ellis is sharp on both sides of the ball. “My offensive mindset is to score as many points as possible while controlling the clock as much as possible,” he said. “Defensively, it’s to do anything I can to stop the team from scoring and make them work hard for any yard they get.” 

Ellis wants to be remembered for more than just plays. “I want people to remember me as a good player, but more importantly as a good teammate,” he said. 

His favorite memory is one that helps shape his focus and his confidence. “Beating Riverton in overtime—it showed that we could play with anyone.”