Names to know Part 2: Wesley Green (CB)
By TC Malik
Over the next couple of weeks I will be discussing some Indiana football players that you may have not heard of but should keep an eye on. Some of these players have flown under the radar as recruits, transferred to Indiana from high profile schools, or been forced to sit out a year due to various reasons.
Wesley Green enrolled at Indiana last season, however, he was ineligible to play and was forced to sit out the campaign due to the NCAA transfer rules. Green is perhaps Indiana’s highest profile transfer as he decided it was to his best interest to transfer from South Carolina after the 2014 season. He didn’t see any in-game action at South Carolina as the coaching staff decided to redshirt him.
“It was mutually decided that Wesley needs a fresh start,”
The transfer from USC was a mutual decision, said former coach Steve Spurrier, “It was mutually decided that Wesley needs a fresh start,” as he was buried in the depth chart behind a bunch of talented corners.
Green was an extremely talented 4-star recruit out of high school, ranking as the #120 in the ESPN 300, making him one of the talented players in the nation and the 13th best cornerback. Kevin Wilson and crew recruited Green out of high school, so when he chose to transfer from South Carolina, the Hoosiers were the first team that he called.
Everybody wanted this kid out of high school. He held offers from some of the top SEC schools, including Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee and his hometown team, the Georgia Bulldogs. It’s impossible to name all of the schools that offered him but the other big names include, THE Ohio State University, Clemson, Miami, Michigan and Nebraska. As you can see there was no shortage of interest for the 5’10, 180 lb defensive back.
If Wesley would’ve chosen to come to play for the Hoosiers from the beginning, he would have been their highest ranked recruit in school history. It doesn’t matter how he made his way to Bloomington – all that matters now is that he’s looking forward to finally getting back on the field in the upcoming season.
Coming into his first season at South Carolina, many were troubled about Green becoming academically eligible, but everything worked itself out and he was cleared to play in 2014. In the end, it wasn’t a factor as he ending up redshirting, anyway. Maybe that was something that factored into Green transferring to Indiana, but we may never know.
According to Bud Elliot (National Recruiting Analyst), Wesley’s game is incredibly instinctual as he relies on his ball skills and feel for the game to dictate his performance. One of the players that he resembles is Ronde Barber, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, as he is a ball-hawk that plays mainly in the cover two scheme.
While his size is an issue, only weighing in at 180 lbs, he is still a force to be reckoned with. He is an active tackler that isn’t afraid to throw his body around. Green will also be able to match up with some of the speediest receivers in the conference, such as Jabrill Peppers, as he runs a blistering 4.34 forty.
With Green’s speed and raw talent, the Hoosiers could use him in some skill positions next season such as kick/punt returns. Indiana still doesn’t have a solidified starter at the kick returner position next season due to Damon Graham’s graduation. Speed is one of the main things needed to be a returner, but you also must possess great field vision. With Green’s instincts and feel for the game, seeing the holes in the blockers should be an easy feat for such a talented player.
More importantly, Indiana will use Wesley Green at his true position, cornerback, as they are thin in the secondary. Last season, many players were forced to switch from their natural positions to defensive backs in order to help expand the secondary, such as Leon Thornton and Devonte Williams. Indiana’s best perimeter defender is Rashard Fant (Jr.), and there was much shuffling among the other corners last season. Tony Fields is the logical choice to play alongside Fant this season, but if Green lives up to expectations he should find himself in the starting lineup in no-time.
Green will come into this season as a red-shirt Sophomore and have three years of eligibility remaining.