James Green Draft Networking Interview: 'I Want To Prove That I Deserve An Opportunity' (Interviews)
Interviews

James Green Draft Networking Interview: 'I Want To Prove That I Deserve An Opportunity'

Photo courtesy Tennessee State Atheltics
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Tennessee State linebacker James Green has been a productive linebacker throughout his college football career. Green departs the Tigers with 186 total tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss under his belt. That production will appeal to all 32 teams throughout the pre-draft process.

Green recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his favorite aspects of the linebacker position, being coached by NFL legend Eddie George, participating in February’s HBCU Legacy Bowl and HBCU Combine, playing in coverage and versus the run, and more.

JM: You depart Tennessee State with 186 total tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss. You especially strung together a nice season in 2023 after missing 2022 through injury. What is it about your skill set that allows you to always be around the football?

James Green: I’m a student of the game. I understand formations and how that helps me understand where the ball is going. You have to study your opponent. I trust my instincts. When it’s game day, it should all be about repetition at that point. 

You have to trust what you’ve seen and what you’ve practiced. I’m a student of the game that loves football. I try to make a play every single rep. That mindset keeps me around the football. That’s what led to my overall production.

JM: What’s your favorite aspect of playing the linebacker position?

James Green: It’s definitely not dealing with offensive linemen (laughs). I love the physicality that comes with it. I love that our position allows us to play closer to the ball. I played safety in high school. I made the transition to linebacker and I appreciated the opportunity to be closer to the ball.

You see things happen faster at linebacker. I love playing closer to the trenches. That’s where all the fun happens. You’re front and center at linebacker. I love the physicality of the position.

JM: With your background at safety, talk to me about the importance of playing in coverage as a linebacker in today’s pass-happy league.

James Green: It’s vital. You have to be able to cover as a linebacker in today’s league. Football changes all the time. It’s changing every single year, especially at linebacker. Linebackers are hybrid safeties nowadays. I’ve played both positions so that comes easy to me.

I have to cover. Football is all about looking for mismatches. That’s what offenses are doing, they’re looking for mismatch opportunities. Can he cover a slot receiver? Can he cover a tight end? That’s what the offensive coordinator is looking for on tape.

It’s very, very vital for an elite NFL defense to have a linebacker that can cover.

JM: It sure is. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing for NFL legend and Tennessee State head coach Eddie George?

James Green: Coach Eddie George taught me to carry myself like a pro. Everything you do from when you wake up to when you go to sleep, it has to be about football. If this is what you wanna do with your life, you have to center everything you do around ball.

Coach George played at the highest level. If you wanna reach that level, you have to make sacrifices and surround yourself with people that have your best interests at heart. You need to surround yourself with people that want to see you be great.

You also need to have that discipline for yourself. When you wake up, it’s about football. It’s not about the parties or any of that nonsense. Everything else going on in the outside world doesn’t matter. You really have to tap in with yourself. It’s about studying the game and honing in on your craft. I’m always putting in extra work. Be about your business and carry yourself like a pro.

JM: You’ll be attending the HBCU Legacy Bowl, and the HBCU Combine in New Orleans at the end of February. What are you hoping to prove to coaches and scouts in attendance throughout those two opportunities?

James Green: I’m just hoping to prove that I belong at this level. You know how it is with HBCUs. They question our level of competition. I’m here for longevity. I played seven years in college when you take the COVID year into account. I’m considered an older prospect.

I’m ready to play. I want to prove that I deserve an opportunity. I don’t care where I get drafted, if I go undrafted, or whatever. I’m going to maximize my opportunity when it arrives. I want to showcase my talents and movement skills at the HBCU Combine.

I played linebacker in college, but I’m going into this process as that hybrid safety. I’m gonna show the scouts that I can move around. I can play man-to-man on slots and tight ends. You can put me anywhere on the field and I will thrive. I just want to prove that I belong at this level. I love football. I’m chasing longevity.

JM: We’ve appreciated your time. Why should a team use one of their draft picks on James Green?

James Green: A team should draft James Green because I’ve never been handed anything in my life. My parents raised me the right way. I’ve worked for everything I have. I’m going to keep that mentality by working my butt off at the next level, too. 

I can be a leader that helps change the culture in the locker room. I stayed at Tennessee State until we bettered the program. I didn’t jump into the portal. I stayed loyal through the ups and downs. I’m willing to do that for an NFL franchise as well. They can count on me. I’m going to carry myself like a veteran. I’m going to be whatever they need me to be.



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