Arlington-Bowie three-star cornerback JaQualyn Greene is preparing to make his commitment next month, and he’s got his list of options narrowed down to four contenders.
Greene said that Houston, Minnesota, SMU, and Texas Tech are all in the running for his pledge, and recent interactions with all of them could make for a compelling race between them. The Gophers are the only team in that quartet he said that has yet to offer, but Greene expects upon visiting in a few weeks, that will no longer be the case.
Texas Tech is in a bit of a precarious situation relative to the others, as Greene has yet to make a visit out to Lubbock. He will be at the Red Raiders spring game this weekend, but that is being played at The Star in Frisco.
Greene’s last visit to Houston came after participating in The Opening regional event there earlier this spring, and he has pointed to SMU as his first offer, so there is more of a developed relationship with the Mustangs.
IN HIS WORDS
On Minnesota
“Coach Coop [defensive GA Keanon Cooper] just texted me a while ago, he texts me every day,” he said. “When I get out there I’m hoping to get a look at everything the coaches have been talking about, the atmosphere, and just talk with the coaches more.”
“When you think about playing in the Big Ten, the chances going to the league, the DB’s they produce, I think that program’s coming up,” he said. “They’ve been getting a lot of commits lately and I think they’re really building something there.”
On SMU
“Things have been pretty good, I have been talking with Coach (Van) Malone a lot,” he said. “We have a solid relationship, we text every now and then, so it’s pretty smooth.”
“I was at one of their spring practices here recently and that put them as one of my top schools,” he added. ”Staying home helps them too.”
On Houston
“I always talk with the cornerbacks coach out there, he’s always trying to get me out there,” he said. “I think Houston produces a lot of guys; I model my game after William Jackson III. I think I play like him a lot and that’s why I think I am good fit at Houston.”
On Texas Tech
“I feel like them being in the Big 12 gives me a lot of opportunity,” he said. “I haven’t been out there yet, so I haven’t had the chance to talk with the coaches like that yet. I just have to feel it out there, like the vibe of things for them to be in it.”
RIVALS REACTION
Greene has had his recruitment stunted a bit after his transfer to Arlington-Bowie before last season and he had a tough time getting consistent reps behind an older group of players in the secondary. The timing of his commitment seems to favor a lean towards the Gophers, but there is something to be said for the way SMU's staff identified him early on and has stayed involved with him.
He also said that Kansas and UConn are two other programs that have been showing serious interest in him. Regardless of where he commits in April, other programs may just be waiting to take their shot with him after they’re able to see more in spring workouts and throughout his senior season.
