Family ties take hidden Fayetteville High School talent to Arkansas State

Exclusive interview with Dre Greenlaw

 

Through the many years of pouring over high school recruiting information that include stats and measurables, very rarely does one player jump off the page like Dre Greenlaw. A look at Greenlaw’s height, weight, and on the field success has brought in five scholarship offers but when all is added up the honors still do not match up with the player.

Dre Greenlaw is a 6’0”, 210 pound, two-way player lining up at safety and wide receiver for Fayetteville High School. With 4.5 forty-yard dash speed, good hips, quick feet, and a nose for the football this Bulldogs is a throwback football player.

His on the field work speaks for itself. The Bulldogs do everything player had 108 tackles, four tackles for a loss, three interceptions, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries including one for a touchdown and a pick six as a junior.

One would think more than five scholarship offers would have come Greenlaw’s way.

Local media has taken note of Greenlaw’s ability to play the game earning All-State, All-Conference, Defensive Player of the Year honors for Northwest Arkansas, and being picked as part of the NWA Touchdown Club.

Let’s not forget his speed in the open field having returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown as a junior.

Greenlaw’s 210 pounds is all good weight with a bench press of 315 pounds and a squat max of 425 pounds. The Division-I ready talent has offers from Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulsa, and Washington State but where are the rest of the offers?

On February 5, 2014 Arkansas State gained a verbal commitment from Greenlaw. A commitment to the ASU Red Wolves is not typically enough to keep other schools from pounding on a recruit’s front door hoping to flip a needed talent.

Perhaps the only reason more offers have not poured in for Greenlaw’s collegiate services is his close personal ties to the Red Wolves coaching staff. His father Brian Early just happens to be a first-year defensive line coach at ASU after spending 2013 with the Arkansas Razorbacks as a defensive quality control coach and the previous four years as the defensive coordinator for Fayetteville High School. Early’s collegiate coaching record also includes stints at Central Arkansas and Arkansas Monticello.

In a one-on-one interview Dre Greenlaw broke down his college recruitment, playing his senior year of high school football, and looking ahead to college success.

 

Dre, you committed to Arkansas State early but are other colleges still showing interest in you?

Arkansas and Auburn are showing interest. A lot of my recruitment slowed down since I committed to ASU.”

Do you plan on taking an official visits to other programs?

“I plan on taking an official visit to Arkansas, one to Washington State, and maybe one to Tulsa.

Have you set any dates yet?

“No official visit dates have been set yet.”

What happens if another top offer comes through for you?

“I’ll sit down with my dad and talk everything over.”

What type of feedback have you received from the various college recruiters that have contacted you?

“They like that I’m a very athletic and physical person. They like my size at safety. Some coaches want to see me play a little bit of linebacker and safety at the same time.”

What position do you want to play at the next level?

“I don’t mind playing a nickel back, strong safety, or even a Will linebacker. Where ever I am need is fine with me.”

What were the contributing factors that lead you to commit to the Red Wolves?

“My dad being there was the main thing. I felt like the coaching staff had everything planned out for the future success of the program. They know what they are doing at ASU. Everyone treated me like family. I felt happy there, everything was good there.”

How do the Bulldogs look so far this season?

“We’re looking pretty good. We have two young quarterbacks. We’re still looking to see which one will take the spot. We are experienced on defense for the most part with a couple of younger players in spots. A couple of key spots we’re still working on but for the most part we’re looking pretty good.”

In your season opening win how well did you play?

“I think I did pretty good job. I made some pretty good hits and got some big tackles (vs. Eisenhower HS, OK). I had eight solo tackles in the game along with 14 assisted tackles (22 overall). They played a one back set or ran a guy in the slot a lot. I was always there on the run. They didn’t try to throw the ball my way.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“One of my strengths is being a vocal leader and being physical. I’m able to come down on the run. I’m also good at getting everybody set on defense.”

What are your goals for the 2014 football season?

“I plan on getting eight picks this year and returning a couple for touchdowns. I had one pick six last year. Whenever I get a pick I want to take it back for a score every time.”

How has your role change this year compared to 2013?

“I’m playing a little bit more offense. I’m also becoming more of a vocal leader on offense.”

Are you still returning punts and kickoffs?

“Yes.”

Is there a NFL player you like to watch play the game?

“Eric Reed, former LSU and current safety with (San Francisco) 49ers. I like that he’s fast and physical. He’s not afraid to come down on the run and is good in coverage. I also like that he’s wearing the No. 1 jersey.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part is making the big plays. I just have a love for the game. I like being able to go out there and do what I love to do and have success at it.”

 

If all plays out for Mr. Greenlaw as currently set up, when the time comes Arkansas State is getting a hidden talent who is one heck of a player and one heck of a young man. Greenlaw spends his off time working at the Boys and Girls Club helping out and refereeing games, showing leadership and maturity off the field.

Whatever may come for the two-way Fayetteville star one can easily predict success is sure to follow.