Junior To Watch: Chad Green One More

Junior to Watch: Chad Green

School: Van Nuys (Calif.) Birmingham

Position: Defensive Back/Wide Receiver

Size and Speed: Chad stands 6-foot-0, weighs 175 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds. Chad is also a standout in track running the 100-meter high hurdles in 10.7 seconds electronically as a sophomore. He came in second in the 100-meter for his age group in the nationals in 2001. This stellar athlete has recorded 35” vertical jump.

Statistics: N/A.

Honors: Chad was selected all-city, all-area and was an all-league performer for the last two seasons.

Favorite Schools: Chad is getting recruiting interest from all the same schools that teammate Dennis Keyes. Chad is getting attention from USC, UCLA, LSU, Michigan, Oregon State and Oregon. Green is keeping his options open in the early going. By this recruiting season’s end, Green could end up as one of the area’s top recruits.

The Skinny: The only problem with Green is where do you play him on the next level. He is big playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. Though Birmingham head coach Ed Crosson didn’t have the exact stats, but Crosson remembered that Green caught five passes as a sophomore and he scored four touchdowns. Now that’s what we call making the most out of your opportunities.

On defense, Chad could be the area’s number one cornerback prospect. He has the size and speed you love to see in a corner and his coverage skills are outstanding. Just ask superstar wide receiver Steve Smith of Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft.

“Chad put the blanket on Steve Smith for the last two years,” said Birmingham head coach Ed Crosson. “Smith is a superior talent and one of the best in the area, but my guy put the clamps on him,” added Crosson. That is saying something when you consider that Smith might be among the nation’s top ten players.

Keep your eye on Chad Green…

Another player to keep your eye on is Eric Ochoa. Ochoa is somewhat of a tweener as a linebacker. Eric stands 5-foot-11, weighs 205 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. Though Eric may be on the small side as a linebacker is talent is not. “Ochoa is like a heat seeking missile,” said Crosson. “He hits you right on the button.” Eric is a two-time all-league selection. Ochoa is a player a team might want to take a chance on…