Interview: 2018 ATH DeTravion Green One of many Ashdown Players Taking Arkansas by Storm

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A storm has been brewing in southwest Arkansas for a couple of years. Much like a typical fall thunderstorm in the south, certain key elements have to come together in a kinetic ball of energy ready to unleash a unique mixture of sight and sound for all to see. As luck would have it, a group of highly athletic football players have forged a bond on the high school gridiron mixing skill with hard work that maybe too tough for anyone to stop in 2016. Impersonating a nasty fall thunderstorm in the south, opposing Arkansas competition beware of Ashdown.

A town like Ashdown is not supposed to be this talented. Ashdown became a known city due to a Coca-Cola bottling plant with train tracks running through the town. Now the town teeters somewhere between 4,700 to 5,000 residents defying anyone’s population theory on how talent is accumulated in bigger cities. Over the years, the Panthers have ebbed and flowed at the 4A level from competitive to under .500. In 2014, Ashdown finished 4-6 but area fans began to believe again when the Panthers finished 8-4 in 2015 under the strong influence of several Class of 2017 and 2018 talents.

The list of potential next level talents coming out of Ashdown is not limited to but includes safety/wide receiver Montaric Brown (Arkansas 2017), quarterback Jaden Hill (2018), wide receiver/cornerback Ladarius Bishop (2018), and running back/linebacker DeTravion Green (2018). Each player brings their own specific skill set to the field with each being greater as a whole. With the influence of talents, Class of 2018 running back DeTravion “Tre” Green has already started the transformation from a talent to a “can’t miss” recruit.

For fans and college recruiters alike, Green kind of came out of nowhere last season earning All-Conference and first team Texarkana All-Area honors. The 6’0”, 175 pound, scat-back picked up 867 yards on the ground off 122 carries with limited touches early in the season. Showing his all-purpose nature, Green added six receptions for 58 yards finding the end zone one more time. As if his contributions on offense was not enough, Green flipped the field lining up at linebacker finishing the season with roughly 90 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pick-six.

Due to NCAA rules, most recruits do not know the extent of their influence or reach at the collegiate level yet. What is known about Green’s recruitment, Arkansas, TCU, Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, Arkansas State, Missouri, and Notre Dame are all interested in Green. What could add more interest for Green is a position switch on defense. A showcase season in 2016 could propel Green into another level on the recruiting trail.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with one of the rising stars in the 2018 class to get an overview on his off-season workouts, expectations for his junior campaign, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Tre, you came on strong last season showing great field vision, patience with your blockers, and great speed breaking off long runs. Going into your sophomore year did you know you would have this type of an impact for Ashdown?

“No sir. It just happened. By Game 6 of the season (20-14 win over Malvern) I was named the starter.”

With the coaching staff bringing you along slowly to the varsity level, what were some of the things you had to adjust in your game to be so productive at that level?

“I had to adjust to the size and speed of the varsity level. I was fast like everyone else and I have good field vision so the transition was not that hard for me.”

What was the welcome to the varsity moment for you?

“It came in practice. One of our defensive linemen and defensive ends hit me at the same time. That stuck with me for a while (laughs).”

What are some of the things you do well on the field as a running back?

“I see the hole well and I fight for extra yards, and I love doing it. Ball protection is another thing I do well. I only had one fumble last year. Growing up, my Uncle Kenny would get onto me if I fumbled the ball. Because of him, I make sure I don’t fumble the ball.”

What are your strengths on the field as a linebacker?

“I was very physical last year. I was one of the top hitters on our team. I will let you know that I am there (laughs). The thing is they are moving to cornerback this year. Some schools want to see me at cornerback. On defense, I can lay the hat. I can really do that.”

Are you excited about the move from linebacker to corner?

“Yes sir. I just want to show people what I can do and I want to show my athleticism.”

Which do you like playing better, offense or defense?

“I love defense. There is nothing better than stopping someone on the field from doing what they want to do.”

Spoken like a true defensive player. You mentioned the move to corner, are there any other changes for you position or otherwise in 2016 different from last season?

“I’m on all the special teams. I will catch the ball more out of the backfield this season on flares and wheel routes.”

Have you set any team or personal goals for the upcoming season?

“Of course I want to win state. Ashdown has never been done here before. I want to be All-State, have over 2,000 yards rushing, and I want to be a shutdown corner.”

What have you been working on this off-season to prepare for your junior year?

“My coverages at corner. During 7v7 you can work on your corner skills. That is hands on training. I’ve worked on my speed and my make up speed. I’ve been working on that hard. This is a big year coming up with a big transition. There are a lot of fast cats we play this year. I have to stay on that.”

Have you ran a 40-yard dash this off-season and if so what did you post?

“Yes sir, I have. My best time was a 4.6-flat. I ran that laser timed at TCU. I followed that up with a 4.62.”

Have you maxed out on any of the primary football lifts this off-season?

“Yes sir. My bench was 235, my squat was 365, and my power clean was 215.”

You’ve been to the TCU camp, did you go to any other camps this summer?

“Yes sir. Some of the guys from the team and I went to the All-Arkansas camp (Little Rock). We had a good time there. I was supposed to go to the Louisiana-Monroe camp but I could not make it.”

How did the TCU camp go for you?

“It was a really good camp. I went as a running back. I did not know about my transition to cornerback then. I learned how to block as a running back. I’ll have to do that this year. Our QB (Jaden Hill) will be in the pocket a lot this year. I need to block for him this year.”

What about the All-Arkansas camp, how did that go?

“It went really well. That was my best camp. We saw a lot of people we knew. The instructors there were very hands on. There were a lot of coaches there from D-II to D-I schools. That camp was very fun.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“There have been a lot of coaches coming by our school from teams like Notre Dame and Memphis. Arkansas is the school that wanted me to switch from linebacker to cornerback. That’s why I am making that transition. Arkansas State, Missouri, and Louisiana-Monroe are some of the other schools that I know are showing interest. Ladarius (Bishop) and I got pulled out of class to talk to Memphis and Missouri.”

Have you been on any unofficial visits yet?

“I went with Montaric (Brown) to Oklahoma State. He asked me to go with him, so I went.”

Do you have any planned visits upcoming?

“I don’t have any planned but I’m excited to start taking some.”

How did everything end up in the classroom for your last year?

“My GPA was a 3.2.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I love math.”

Do you play any other sports for Ashdown?

“I play basketball and track. I was All-District in track. We did pretty well in basketball this year too.”

Which events did you participate in track?

“I was in the 400, 4×4, and I was a triple jump specialist. That’s where I made All-District.”

What is your personal record in the triple jump?

“42.10. I should have been at 43. I was the only underclassmen that made it to state for triple jump.”

Impressive. What are you aiming to get next year in the triple jump?

“I’m going to try to win state. I’ve been doing a lot of calf raises and other exercises for that. I want a 44 or 45. I know I can get it. I also participated in the Decathlon in Cabot.”

How did the Decathlon go for you?

“I’m trying to prove that I am one of the best athletes in Arkansas. At the Decathlon, there were 74 guys participating and I finished 31st with a score of 4,059. I’ll be back next year. I was one of the top in shotput there too.”

For your age, that is very impressive.

“Thank you.”

Any last words on the 2016 season before we wrap everything up?

“We have put a lot of hard work and dedication into the year. I’ve been telling my teammates this is our year. I’ve been putting a lot of hard work into the year and I think we have something special going for us.”

Tre, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: jerryhabraken.com; Tre Green fights for more yards.

Photo credit: Texarkana-Gazette; Tre Green pre-snap.