Ellsworth attended Southampton High School in Courtland, Virginia, where he was a Super Prep All-American as a senior. He was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for week 16 of the 1998 NFL season.
Ellsworth studied at Southampton High School in Courtland, Virginia, and was a standout athlete during his senior year. In the 1998 NFL season, he received recognition as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for week 16.