Green says no leader but Clemson among his top schools

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Apr 23 22:42:05 GMT-04:00 2012

The Tigers and Hokies may be in yet another battle, but this one off the field as both programs vie for the services of Hermitage (Richmond) Va., running back Derrick Green Derrick Green
Running Back
6-0, 215
Richmond, VA
View Full Profile .

The nation’s No. 6 running back, a 4-star prospect, visited Clemson for the Tigers’ spring game nine days ago, then visited Blacksburg and Virginia Tech this past weekend.

“The visit to Blacksburg went really well,” Green told TigerNet Monday evening. “I talked to Coach [Frank] Beamer about how I would fit into their offense, and he told me I was a perfect fit for what they do. He showed me some film and showed me how they use their running backs. I got to meet some of the players, and I had a really good time there.”

Next up for Green is a visit to Oklahoma St., just one of 28 offers Green has.

Of course, one of those offers came from Clemson, but Green disputed reports that had Clemson as his sole leader.

“Right now, I really don’t have one leader,” he said. “I feel like I was misquoted by a website. To me, pretty much every school is equal right now. Clemson is one of my top schools, right there at the top, but I don’t have one leader.”

Green said he is looking for a place where he feels comfortable.

“I would say that I am looking for a place where I feel at home, and I like the coaching staff,” he said. “I want to have a great relationship with the coaches, and early playing time is also important. And of course, they have to have a great program.”

Green said he has a great relationship with the two Clemson coaches he talks to the most – running backs coach Tony Elliott and offensive coordinator Chad Morris.

“I get along with both of them really well,” he said. “I have a great relationship with both of them, actually. Coach Morris tells me about the offense, and how they need a big-time back like me. I have a good relationship with Coach Swinney and the whole coaching staff there. I also like the players, and you can tell it is like a family atmosphere there.”

He said he likes what he sees out of Clemson’s offense.

“I know Coach Morris wants to run the football, and he wants to pound it at people,” he said. “I know they are doing some different things offensively in trying to run the football. My high school coach has actually been down to Clemson to talk about the Pistol formation, and I am excited because we might be running some of that this season.”

Green said the visit was a long time coming, but he enjoyed it thoroughly. He also got to spend time with linebacker Dorian O’Daniel, who committed to the Tigers later that Saturday.

“I hung out with him most of the day,” Green said. “He was a real good dude. I kind of had a feeling he was going to commit, because I know he likes them a lot. He was telling me what he liked about them.”

Green said that the Tigers and Ohio St. – as well as the Hokies – are in the mix, but he doesn’t know when he will make a decision.

“It could be today. It could be tomorrow,” he said. “I will just do it when it feels right.”

As a junior, Green rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.