Interview: Beloved 4-Star 2022 Texas TE Donovan Green Holding 40-Plus Offers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The matchup nightmares Donovan Green creates at the high school level is keeping 6A Texas defensive coordinators up at night. At 6-4, 220-pounds, Green is that hybrid tight end who is too big for safeties and corners and too fast for linebackers. The coaches at Dickson High School has found the perfect way to utilize their standout Class of 2022 talent putting him in tight, in the slot, and out wide forcing defenses to bend to their will. The result was Green leading the Gators in receptions (34) and receiving yards (615) while tying for a team-high in touchdowns (5) earning MaxPreps first team All-American honors. The offensive output Green provides is wanted by college football programs nationwide with over 40 offers on the table.
In an RNG initial interview, Green updates us on the Gators preseason practices, his goals for the 2020 season, and fills us in on his recruiting activity.
Interview
The season for the Gators is set to begin on Friday, Sept. 28, against Manvel. How pumped are you and the rest of the guys to get on the field to mix it up against the Mavericks?
We are super excited. It has been a minute since we’ve done stuff. With no spring ball, we are ready for it.
How is the team looking in fall camp?
Our DBs, we had no returning DBs. But after playing with them in 7v7 and against them in practice, they are looking good. We are looking good for the season.
When you guys take the field this season, what style of offense will you be running?
We spread them out and go up the middle anytime we want.
Last season, the coaches were getting the ball into your hands in different ways running seams, as mentioned, off a three-point stance and routes across the middle out of the slot. Where all were you lining up and what routes were you running?
Lining up at tight end and in the slot, I was running benders, fades, corners – anything in the route tree.
What have you been working on this offseason with your game as a receiving tight end?
I have been working on getting bigger, improving my blocking, my routes and speed.
How have you worked to improve your game in the trenches?
Working on my technique.
What have you been doing to add more strength to your game over the spring and summer months?
We have four quarters we run. Every other day it is a different workout with legs and arms, and we alternate. We have hard workouts with legs and then with arms and our stretches. They have us doing squats and power cleans, then on arm day we are doing bench press and working the ropes. We rotate inside and outside during our workouts.
Are you adding any new positions in 2020?
Outside receiver.
What goals have you set for your junior campaign?
More yards, more catches, and more knockdowns.
With all your offers, are there any schools showing interest yet to offer you?
Clemson, I think that is about it, oh, and Wisconsin and Nebraska.
How many scholarship offers have been given to you?
I believe I have 43 or 44.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Kentucky and Maryland.
Going back to last season, did you get to take any campus visits before the dead period began in March?
At the beginning of the year I took a couple of visits, before I had any offers. I went to UT (Texas), Oklahoma, and (Texas) A&M.
Did you get to take any virtual visits this offseason?
Yes, I took one with Stanford, Florida, A&M, UT, Ohio State, and Michigan.
Whenever the campuses open back up, are you planning any trips ahead of time?
I have not thought about it, my dad asked me about that the other day. Florida, USC, and Ohio State are visits I’d like to take. A&M, UT, and Baylor, they are close to me. I do not want to waste an official visit on schools that are close.
Donovan Green Art
Understood. Changing gears. What do you fun outside of football?
I am either painting shoes or playing games besides working out.
Tell me about painting shoes.
I have been painting shoes for about a year-and-a-half. The first shoes I did were back in 6th grade. I stopped, but then during my freshman year I started doing them again. I have been doing it ever since.
How much do you charge to paint someone’s shoes?
Anywhere from $80 to 100 dollars. Sometimes it is more, depending on the shoe, but usually it is in that price range.
Are you a drawer or do you do graphic design for fun as well?
I can draw a little bit. I have art class this year, I have been drawing more. This year I am taking engineering classes, that is what I want to do in college.
Donovan, it was a lot of fun talking football, recruiting, and your shoe painting business. Thanks for your time and good luck with the season until we talk again.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Green’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Houston, Howard, Illinois, Illinois State, Kansas, Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, Memphis, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, SMU, South Carolina, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, Virginia Tech, Washington, and William & Mary
Photo credit: Green family; Donovan Green