Daniel Green

True Freshman | 6-3 | 228 lbs. | Portland, Oregon

• Position: Linebacker
• Previous College: None
• Projection: Redshirt
• Status: On Scholarship

Daniel X. Green (b. Jan. 8, 1999) is a promising, physical young defensive prospect from Oregon who was something of a Signing Day surprise in February. The four-star linebacker selected the Wildcats over offers from Mississippi, Oregon State and Utah.

Green played for Madison High School under head coach Don Johnson Jr. While with the Senators, he earned second-team all-state honors from The Oregonian, while he also was a two-time first-team all-conference honoree.

Green was named one of the top 250 prospects in the Class of 2017 by Rivals. The organization also viewed him as the 10th-best inside linebacker in the nation and the third-best player in the state of Oregon.

Many are high on his potential and, seeing no returning starting linebackers this season, project that Green could skip a redshirt and play immediately. But I say “not so fast,” and other keen observers such as Ian Boyd of SportsTreatise seem to agree:

Green is a really solid inside backer prospect who likes to play with some depth and then play downhill once he’s diagnosed the play. I think that could get him into trouble if the Wildcat DL can’t keep him covered up, or he’s facing a team with a really quality OT or FB that can get out on him 4 yards past the line of scrimmage.

That said, he’s really sudden and powerful coming downhill, and he’s pretty hard to block once he’s aiming for the ball. He also can blitz with some thunder and pursue the ball outside of the tackle box. With some refinement, he might be a really good player.

Please don’t misunderstand me — I think Green was a huge get and don’t doubt that he will be starting at some point in his career. I just don’t think it will be this season.