Omaha World Herald - Atricle on Dayton's QB Cody Green

[bronco1]

Football: Texas QB's strong arm lures many

Published Sunday    June 15, 2008

BY JON NYATAWA

WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN - Last fall, Cody Green was the pregame entertainment in Dayton, Texas.

Immobilized by torn ligaments in his right ankle, Green would toss footballs to fans in the bleachers.

Only he'd be standing across the field from the opposite sideline. And he'd be throwing flat-footed.

"He'd make everybody 'ooh' and 'aah' before the game," said Jerry Stewart, Green's coach at Dayton

High School. "He couldn't move at all, so he'd just flick the ball over there. I guess I would too, if I could."

The rising senior quarterback's arm strength is just one of the reasons big-time college programs -

including Nebraska - want him on their campuses.

But then there's Green's size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and his speed (Stewart says Green runs a 4.6-second

40-yard dash).

Add Green's personality into the mix and there's no wonder why it takes nearly a full minute for Stewart to rattle

off every college team that has shown interest in the kid from Dayton, a town of about 6,000 people nestled

between Houston and Beaumont.

"He's impeccable," said Stewart, who's helped coach Green since the fifth grade.

Nebraska and Texas A&M lead the field of Green's suitors, which includes Boston College, Stanford, Purdue,

Alabama, Houston and LSU.

Being high on the list of a blue chip quarterback is nothing new for Nebraska. Recently, though, being high

on the list - and even earning a commitment - from an elite QB prospect hasn't turned out so well for Nebraska.

In 2005, Josh Freeman of Grandview, Mo., reneged on his sixth-month commitment to Nebraska, choosing

Kansas State instead. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert of Baldwin, Mo., committed early to NU before switching

to Missouri last winter after the exit of Bill Callahan and staff.

A new Husker staff will try to lure a big-time quarterback this time, knowing that its best chance starts today

while Green attends the Nebraska Elite Quarterback Camp.

Green will be one of about 90 high school quarterbacks on campus, a smaller group than what the coaching staff

has been dealing with this summer.

Last week, Nebraska's two high school camps featured more than 900 players, one of the larger totals in a number

of years, said Jeff Jamrog, assistant athletic director for football.

The quarterback camp, however, is more "high intense," Jamrog said. In addition to the typical on-the-field drill work,

players will watch film, giving them the opportunity to break down film with coaches.

It'll be Green's first chance to meet the Nebraska staff, other than the two primary recruiters - linebackers coach

Mike Ekeler and receivers coach Ted Gilmore. And Green said he'll be prepared with plenty of questions.

"I'm excited to get with the coaches, just pick their brains as much as I can," Green said. "I want to see what it's like."

Green said he would like to make a verbal commitment to his future school within the next four weeks.

The recruiting process is a bit hectic, he said. Plus, he'd like to focus on getting ready for his senior season at Dayton,

one he'll be fully healthy for.

That's not the greatest news for Friendswood High School, Dayton's first regular-season opponent next fall. Friendswood

beat the Green-less Broncos 31-28 last year.

"I've had some good ones and I've seen a lot," said Steve Van Meter, Friendswood's 25-year coach. "As far as a physical

presence and the tools to get the job done, (Green's) as good as they've come through here."

Before last fall's ankle injury, Green was hitting his receivers in stride as they ran 60 yards downfield, Stewart said.

That won't change, and neither will Green's willingness to help the team. Stewart expects to see Green entertaining

the fans during the game, not just before it starts.

"We want him on the field all the time," Stewart said. "He can punt, he can kick; he might play a little corner for us.

He's not going to be cheering half the game."

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[Bucof2010]

I didn't realize just how good he is. He sounds like the real deal.

[BMTSoulja1]

I'm impressed as well.  When I first saw Green, I figured that he was more athlete than passer.  I guess he have been working a lot on his passing while he had the ankle injury.  I wish him the best of luck this season!

[rapayne]

I have been so excited about Cody for a while now, I am very excited about the prospect of a great kid from Dayton taking his talents to the bigtime level. What a year it is going to be!

[Guest whoabroncos09]

im so excited to have cody back.

i cannot wait until football season.

cody said he is ready but still has a lot of work before next year.