Kate Upton dodges the Sanchez question on Ellen

Is Kate Upton cozying up to New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez?

She'll never tell!

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show Thursday, where she was grilled about her supposed romance with the pro baller in typical El fashion.

Ellen: "Your boyfriend, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, how does he feel about this [the cover]?"

Kate: "I did not have a Valentine's date this year."

Ellen: "OK, so he was busy. So how does your boyfriend Mark Sanchez feel about all this? He must be proud, right?"

Kate: "Well, even if I had a boyfriend. I wouldn't ask how he felt about it."

Ellen: "You wouldn't ask?"

Kate: "No."

Ellen: "He would just tell you, though. Has he told you? Your boyfriend Mark Sanchez? I'm just guessing that it's him. Is it him?"

Kate: "Do you want it to be him?"

Ellen: "Yeah."

Kate: "Why?"

Ellen: "He's cute. Don't you think he's cute?'

Kate: "Yeah, he is cute."

Ellen: "Have you met him before?"

Kate: "I met him. My sister works for the Jets. She's been working there for four years. So I went to all the games."

Ellen: "So now you're dating him?"

Kate: "I met him briefly."

Ellen: "How long have you all been dating?"

Kate: "I don't know what you're talking about…"

Ellen: "She's dating Mark Sanchez…"

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Whispers that Sanchez and the curvaceous teen model are an item first surfaced in December. The football ace has been paying frequent visits to Upton's Flatiron apartment since November, usually after a game or before practice, tittle tattles tell The New York Post.

"They never come in together. He's always five steps after her," one insider dished.

Another source insisted the two are "just friends."

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Kate's never spoken publicly about the rumored romance, but gushed about being a huge Jets fan in a 2011 chat with USA Today.

"I'm a really big New York Jets fan because my sister works for them. I've learned to love the games. I watch every single one. I really enjoy it…"

For being such a good sport about the ribbing, Ellen offered Kate, formerly a competitive equestrian, a new pair of riding pants as a parting gift.

Photo credits: Judy Eddy/WENN.com