Former Mississippi State offensive lineman Malik Ellis has committed to Troy via the transfer portal, he announced Friday.

Ellis (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) was originally recruited as a tight end and made four starts there for the Bulldogs in 2023 before moving to guard. The native of Laurel, Miss., redshirted in 2024, and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Ellis is the third transfer portal addition for the Trojans in the current cycle, along with running back Trey Cooley (Georgia Tech) and wide receiver Rara Thomas (Georgia). The transfer portal closed for new entries on April 25, but players already in the portal can choose their destinations at any time.

Troy also lost a number of players in the current portal cycle, including tight end Brody Dalton (Alabama), cornerback LJ Green (Tulane), offensive lineman Carlos Slayden (Southern Miss), running back Damien Taylor (Ole Miss), linebacker Phillip Lee (Arkansas) and reserve quarterback Caleb McCreary (Tennessee State). Defensive lineman Cheick Kaba and backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell are also in the portal, but have not yet publicly announced destinations.

Troy finished 4-8 in 2024, its first season under head coach Gerad Parker. The Trojans open the 2025 season at home Aug. 30 vs. Nicholls.