Seth Green, the junior quarterback from East Ridge High School in Woodbury, who could become a consensus all-state player within a couple of months, told Sports Headliners he ranks Oregon ahead of the many other colleges pursuing him.
Green has heard from a lot of schools and has offers from Oregon, Illinois, Iowa, Louisville, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Toledo and Wisconsin. Asked if he leans toward one day playing for Oregon, he answered, “Yes, sir.” He plans to announce his college choice by early next summer—at the latest.
The 6-4, 210-pound Green, who runs a 4.6 40-yard dash, has been a starter for the Raptors since his freshman season. He impressed college recruiters last season, and also during the offseason with both his quarterbacking and overall athletic skills.
Green is almost certain to become one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks ever from the state of Minnesota. After Oregon, he quickly mentioned Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin as schools that have more of his interest than others. What might cause him to one day commit to the Gophers?
“I don’t know—just sort of seeing how they keep building their program,” Green said. “They’re on a really great track right now and I like what they’re doing. They’re headed in the right direction with (head) coach (Jerry) Kill and (quarterbacks) coach (Jim) Zebrowski. So just seeing them continue to grow.”
The Gophers have increased their win totals every season since Kill became head coach in 2011. Minnesota has program connections to Green who was born in Minneapolis. His father, Bryan Green, was a running back via Birmingham, Alabama for the Gophers in the early 1990s. East Ridge coach Mike Pendino was a Gophers assistant in 1990 and 1991.
“I do know Minnesota is still in the mix,” Pendino told Sports Headliners. “His dad is a Minnesota guy. He’s a Minnesota kid (Seth). I know he likes the Gophers.”
But Pendino isn’t going to dictate a college choice to Green or any of his players. “I try to help them (his players) through the process. I am not going to ever tell anyone where they should or shouldn’t go. That’s their choice. They’ve got to go there for the next five years.”
Pendino coached eight time NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald when the two were at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield. Although Green and Fitzgerald play different positions, there are similarities.
“Yeah, he reminds me of Fitzgerald in the way he carries himself and the way he handles himself,” Pendino said. “The confidence that he oozes and the way the kids react to him.”
Green took over as the East Ridge starting quarterback after one game as a freshman. “He’s learning and growing every day,” Pendino said. “He’s come so far from his freshman year to now, and he’s got a lot of room to grow. I think the potential is unlimited with Seth.”
Last year Green threw for 1,322 yards in 10 games and had 13 touchdown passes. Those numbers and others are almost certain to expand but Pendino also wants to see Green become more of a team leader and take charge in helping teammates focus. “Once he’s on the field his athleticism, his smarts take over.”
During past seasons Green has had more opportunities to pass than run but Pendino said his quarterback is a special dual-threat talent. “He’s got a gun for an arm. He can make every throw. Once we let him start running he can be a tailback, too.”
The coach doesn’t question his quarterback’s dedication to learning including willingness to watch game films. “He’s a film junkie,” Pendino said.
Green received his offer from Oregon earlier this summer after attending a Ducks camp. “They called me and said he did absolutely awesome out there, and they just wanted to do a little character check on his background,” Pendino said. “Great character kid. Didn’t take very long and they just called me and said, ‘Hey, we’re gonna offer Seth.’
“He deserves it. He worked hard and he’s a good player.”
Every passionate college football fan knows Oregon successfully recruits elite and athletic players. Marcus Mariota, the Ducks dual-threat quarterback this season, is a Heisman Trophy favorite. Green has watched film of the Ducks and sees similarities with himself and Oregon’s 6-4, 219 pound junior quarterback.
Mariota threw 31 touchdown passes last season and just four interceptions while rushing for 731 yards. “Yes, I am a big fan of his because he’s sort of like the perfect dual-threat quarterback,” Green said.
Green will see Mariota and the Ducks this Saturday when Associated Press No. 3 ranked Oregon plays No. 7 Michigan State in Eugene. His trip to Oregon’s campus is likely to reinforce all the excitement and positive feelings he already has from his visit earlier this summer.
The Ducks are not only one of college football’s powers but their videogame-like offense is captivating to watch. With revenue sources that include Nike founder and Oregon alum Phil Knight, the football department’s facilities are the envy of other Division I schools and so spectacular Sports Illustrated published a photo spread showing off the luxurious and high tech features.
Green described the football facilities as a mini-campus. “You have Autzen (Stadium) right there, you have the practice field, the football complex and it’s all right there. ….I thought that was really cool—how it’s all with each other so you’re not distracted.”
Green said Oregon hasn’t promised he will be the only quarterback in the Ducks’ class of 2016 but he was the first offered a scholarship. He was honored by the offer. “I feel like I fit there the best. With their team, style, offense, facilities, location—it (Oregon) benefits me the most and I’ll get the most out of it.”
Green, who is one of the East Ridge football captains, will have a busy week. Before catching a 7 a.m. flight on Saturday morning, he and the Raptors play their second game of the season on Friday night at Cretin-Derham Hall against the Raiders.
The Raptors defeated Park of Cottage Grove in their 2014 opening game last week. Green completed 17 of 30 passes in that game and threw three touchdown passes.
Before choosing a college he would like to help East Ridge to a state championship. “I feel like we can be as good as we want to be if we put in the work and time and effort—and focus and execute, then we can be really good,” he said.
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