Panthers Sign WR Elijah Lilly
October 26, 2022 – Indoor Football League (IFL) – Bay Area Panthers News Release
As one of nine children, Elijah Lilly learned the spirit of teamwork early in life.
“We’ve got to be together at all times-make your own fun. That’s especially true with chores and cleaning up. Sometimes you don’t want to wash the dishes and you’ve got to switch off and pick up somebody’s slack.”
Lilly now is a member of a team with larger numbers after signing with the Bay Area Panthers of the Indoor Football League.
The Panthers offensive coordinator is Dixie Wooten, who knows a thing or two about large families-growing up with five sisters and two brothers.
“If dinner was at 7, you’d better be at the table at 6:55,” said Wooten. “If not, you’d get whatever is left because Mom and Dad are not cooking two meals.”
Wooten is hoping to teach Lilly to feast on opposing defenses by utilizing his player’s strengths.
“He’s coachable and he’s got things you can’t teach,” said Wooten. “He can go high for the ball and can really run after the catch.”
Lilly is an eager and willing learner after not playing wide receiver until his junior year at New Mexico.
“I always wanted to play offense but when I got to New Mexico, we ran the triple option so I thought it would be my best bet to play DB (defensive back). So I played there my first couple years then they finally switched from the Triple Option to the Spread and they called me into the office and asked me what I thought about playing receiver.”
As a junior in 2018, Lilly started six of 12 games and tied for second on the team in receptions-also leading the Lobos in kickoff returns.
The following season, he played in three games before opting for shoulder surgery, earning a redshirt season.
Lilly transferred to Colorado Mesa as a graduate student and led the team with 36 catches and was second in receiving yards with 474
.
In ’21, Lilly was the leading receiver for the Mavericks with 36 catches for 474 yards and 4 touchdowns.
While still learning the craft of the position, he has plenty of natural gifts as a foundation.
“I say my speed is my strength,” said Lilly. “I’m usually one of the fastest guys on the field. Especially, with my track background, that’s something I’ve always had. I think that gives me a real edge.”
At Cajon High School in San Bernardino, CA, Lilly ran the 300m hurdles and was a long jumper with a best of 23’8″, good for sixth best in the state.
Lilly is confident he’ll be able to make a contribution right away for the Panthers-making for some good stories to tell at a crowded dinner table.
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