http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...,6457287.story
Quote:
Deon Green's first scholarship offer came from Rutgers in February and it would be just the beginning of a busy offseason for the No. 12 player in the Sentinel's 2011 Central Florida Super60.
"Rutgers was the first school to offer me. It came and I was just so excited that one came," Green said.
Since Green received his scholarship offer, 17 more have come the Olympia defensive tackle's way, as he has become one of the most heavily-recruited players in Central Florida.
"It feels good to be in a position to where I have schools to choose from," Green said. "Some players wish they had one, so I know it's a good predicament to have."
Standing at 6-foot-2, 280-pounds, Green has been hard to miss for college coaches when watching his film, but it's his off-field presence that has made the soft-spoken Green a hit at Olympia.
"He has great disposition," said Olympia head coach, Bob Head. "He leads by example but is vocal at the right time. He's a good kid and a hard worker. We don't ever have to worry about him being late to practice or anything like that."
While coaches have believed in Green's ability since he transferred to Orlando from South Carolina last year, he has been a bit surprised at the attention he's garnered this early in the recruiting process.
"I (didn't think I'd have) as much as I am getting now," Green said. "My coaches said I had the potential to have this many (offers), but I didn't think I'd get this many."
With so many options, Green has begun to narrow down the schools that appeal to him.
"South Carolina, Penn State, Clemson and USF," he said.
Of the four schools that are rising to the top, Green mentioned South Carolina several times and said that the school is "definitely attractive."
"I'm from South Carolina, so it' a big deal with (South Carolina) and Clemson," Green said.
Green also likes the in-state USF Bulls, but he noted that location isn't a huge priority, especially with him having family in South Carolina. So far, his offers include the Bulls and the Gamecocks, as well as Ole Miss, Northwestern, Wake Forest, Texas Tech and others.
His presence has helped other teammates gain recognition from visiting coaches. Olympia, which has other talented players such as linebacker Darryl Monroe (No. 30 on Super 60) and safety Corian Hamilton (No. 10 on Super60), already had three colleges stop by spring practice on Monday and that number should rise rapidly by the end of the school year.
"(Green) has opened the doors for every kid in this program," said Head, who had 90 colleges take a live look at his team last year. "I project 100 schools to come by this year."
Not all of that is because of Green, but it's safe to say that any school that does swing by Olympia will inquire about the mammoth defensive tackle.