Fairly late in the recruiting process, Louisville Male (Ky.) standout
Justin Green said it would take something "really great" to change his commitment from Ohio State. Something great turned out to be an opportunity to play running back and that opportunity came at
Illinois.
The four-star 5-foot-11, 180-pounder had been committed to the Buckeyes since June, visited Illinois in late January, and announced on Signing Day that he had flipped to
Ron Zook's program. Green was likely ticketed for cornerback in Columbus. In Champaign, Scout.com?s No. 23 cornerback will have the opportunity to carry the ball. "It's definitely what I would like to start off playing," Green said.
Green, who missed three games his senior season because of injury, carried 86 times for 510 yards and eight touchdowns. He knows that early playing time, where he landed, is no given. "I knew anywhere I go I'm going to have to compete to play right away," he said.
Ultimately, Green visited Ohio State,
Kentucky and
Clemson, but it was that late trip to Champaign on Jan. 23 that tipped him from one Big Ten school to another. "Basically I just felt right at home with all the staff and I felt like I clicked really good with all the players," Green said. "I knew right after my visit. Now I'm just ready to get to work."
Green says his strengths are his speed and the ability to hit a hole fast. "And get to where I need to be going," he said.
That turned out to be Illinois instead of Ohio State.