Morgan Green
Encyclopedia
Morgan Green is an American former college
and high school football
player. He played as a running back
for the Maryland Terrapins
at the University of Maryland
. He played interscholastic football for Henry E. Lackey High School
in Indian Head, Maryland
, where he became one of the state's all-time rushing leaders.
to parents James and Denise Green. He attended Henry E. Lackey High School
in Indian Head, Maryland
where he was a three-year starter in football
. As a sophomore in 2002, he amassed 1,131 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, the most of any Washington, D.C. area player in his grade. He expressed disappointment with his performance, however, and worked out intensively in the weight room during the offseason.
The following year, he recorded 2,630 yards and 26 touchdowns on 360 carries. Green rushed for 200 yards in eight games and set a school rushing record against Leonardtown High School
. He was named a consensus first-team all-state and The Washington Post
All-Met player. He was also named to the George Michael
's Golden 11 team and named the conference most valuable player
.
As a senior in 2004, he recorded 209 carries for 1,363 yards and 23 touchdowns, despite missing six games due to an injury. That year, he received Big School second-team all-state and first-team All-SMAC
honors. Green expressed his desire to gain yards and challenge the state single-season rushing record. The Lackey High's ball-hawking defense, however, often put the offense in scoring position on a shortened field. About that Green said, "It is less running for me. And even though I might not like that, it's a big relief. If the defense could make plays, it's less stressful on me." At the end of his high school playing career, Green ranked as the fifth leading rusher in Maryland state history.
ESPN
rated Green the eighth-ranked college fullback
prospect in the nation. PrepStar and SuperPrep each named Green an All-American. SuperPrep rated him as the 14th-ranked college running back prospect in the nation. Rivals.com
named him the six-ranked overall player in the state and 12-ranked tailback
in the nation. He was recruited by Boston College
, Florida
, Maryland
, N.C. State
, Penn State
, and Virginia
. He received scholarship offers from Penn State, Maryland, and Virginia. He committed to Maryland, and head coach Ralph Friedgen
rescinded a scholarship offer to future Heisman Trophy
finalist Steve Slaton
, partly in favor of Green. In 2005, Green failed to academically qualify for Maryland, and attended preparatory school at the Hargrave Military Academy
in Chatham, Virginia
. While there, he rushed 21 times for 151 yards and one touchdown.
season as a redshirt
. Before the 2007 season
, he excelled in practice and was expected to make an impact as the two starting running backs had suffered injuries. He played in the season opener against Villanova
, but suffered a hamstring injury and sat out the remainder of the season. In 2008
, Green suffered a lingering quadriceps injury in camp. It continued to bother him throughout the season, and he fell to the third-ranked rusher, behind starter Da'Rel Scott
and reserve Davin Meggett
. Green did see action in ten games and recorded 24 carries for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Against Eastern Michigan
, Green rushed for two touchdowns. In the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl
against Nevada
, he rushed 10 times for 72 yards with a 53-yard long and one touchdown.
During spring camp in 2009
, Green commented on his previous preseason injuries by saying, "If I make it through camp, I'll be the happiest guy ever because then I'll know I'll have a good season. It seems like it's the camp jinx for me." Starting quarterback Chris Turner
said of Green, "I think Morgan can be a huge key in this offense ... I think Da'Rel [Scott] gets a lot of the exposure because he's obviously explosive, but Morgan is actually a big, explosive, and fast back."
In the spring of 2010, he approached head coach Ralph Friedgen
and discussed his future with the team. Green decided that he would finish his degree at Maryland and then transfer to Towson University
for the remainder of his athletic eligibility. Green, however, did not join the Towson football team for the 2010 season.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
and high school football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
player. He played as a running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. He played interscholastic football for Henry E. Lackey High School
Henry E. Lackey High School
Henry E. Lackey High School is a high school in Charles County, Maryland. It is run by Charles County Public Schools.-History:The current building was completed in 1969, replacing a previous building built in 1953 which was rededicated as General Smallwood Middle School...
in Indian Head, Maryland
Indian Head, Maryland
Indian Head is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,422 at the 2000 census. It has been the site of a naval base specializing in gun and rocket propellants since 1890. Production of nitrocellulose and smokeless powder began at the Indian Head Powder Factory in 1900...
, where he became one of the state's all-time rushing leaders.
Early years
Morgan Green was born in White Plains, MarylandWhite Plains, Maryland
White Plains is an unincorporated community located in Charles County in the State of Maryland in the United States of America, just south of Waldorf, Maryland. It is located at latitude 38°35'25" North; longitude 76°56'26" West. The United States Postal Service has assigned White Plains the ZIP...
to parents James and Denise Green. He attended Henry E. Lackey High School
Henry E. Lackey High School
Henry E. Lackey High School is a high school in Charles County, Maryland. It is run by Charles County Public Schools.-History:The current building was completed in 1969, replacing a previous building built in 1953 which was rededicated as General Smallwood Middle School...
in Indian Head, Maryland
Indian Head, Maryland
Indian Head is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,422 at the 2000 census. It has been the site of a naval base specializing in gun and rocket propellants since 1890. Production of nitrocellulose and smokeless powder began at the Indian Head Powder Factory in 1900...
where he was a three-year starter in football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
. As a sophomore in 2002, he amassed 1,131 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, the most of any Washington, D.C. area player in his grade. He expressed disappointment with his performance, however, and worked out intensively in the weight room during the offseason.
The following year, he recorded 2,630 yards and 26 touchdowns on 360 carries. Green rushed for 200 yards in eight games and set a school rushing record against Leonardtown High School
Leonardtown High School
Leonardtown High School is a comprehensive public high school of 2,187 students in grades 9-12. It offers college preparatory programs and programs that prepare students for business and technical occupations. It serves the community in the central portion of St. Mary's County, Maryland, between...
. He was named a consensus first-team all-state and The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
All-Met player. He was also named to the George Michael
George Michael (sportscaster)
George Michael was an American sportscaster best known nationally for The George Michael Sports Machine, his long-running sports highlights television program. Originally named George Michael's Sports Final when it began as a local show in Washington, D.C...
's Golden 11 team and named the conference most valuable player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
As a senior in 2004, he recorded 209 carries for 1,363 yards and 23 touchdowns, despite missing six games due to an injury. That year, he received Big School second-team all-state and first-team All-SMAC
Southern Maryland Athletic Conference
The Southern Maryland Athletic Conference is a high school athletic league located throughout the southern region of the state of Maryland. The SMAC's membership consists of the following schools located in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties:...
honors. Green expressed his desire to gain yards and challenge the state single-season rushing record. The Lackey High's ball-hawking defense, however, often put the offense in scoring position on a shortened field. About that Green said, "It is less running for me. And even though I might not like that, it's a big relief. If the defense could make plays, it's less stressful on me." At the end of his high school playing career, Green ranked as the fifth leading rusher in Maryland state history.
ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
rated Green the eighth-ranked college fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
prospect in the nation. PrepStar and SuperPrep each named Green an All-American. SuperPrep rated him as the 14th-ranked college running back prospect in the nation. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
named him the six-ranked overall player in the state and 12-ranked tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
in the nation. He was recruited by Boston College
Boston College Eagles football
The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
, Florida
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
, Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, N.C. State
NC State Wolfpack football
The NC State Wolfpack football team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Wolfpack currently compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference....
, Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
, and Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. He received scholarship offers from Penn State, Maryland, and Virginia. He committed to Maryland, and head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
rescinded a scholarship offer to future Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
finalist Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, partly in favor of Green. In 2005, Green failed to academically qualify for Maryland, and attended preparatory school at the Hargrave Military Academy
Hargrave Military Academy
Hargrave Military Academy is a private American boarding school located in the town of Chatham, Virginia.Hargrave is a school affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia emphasizing Christian values that focuses on a college and military preparatory program...
in Chatham, Virginia
Chatham, Virginia
Chatham is a town in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States. Chatham's population was 1,338 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Danville, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Chatham is home to Chatham High School and Hargrave Military Academy. It is also home to Chatham Hall , an...
. While there, he rushed 21 times for 151 yards and one touchdown.
College career
At Maryland, he sat out the 20062006 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 54th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its second within the...
season as a redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
. Before the 2007 season
2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
, he excelled in practice and was expected to make an impact as the two starting running backs had suffered injuries. He played in the season opener against Villanova
Villanova Wildcats football
The Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision . The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,500.-History:...
, but suffered a hamstring injury and sat out the remainder of the season. In 2008
2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season...
, Green suffered a lingering quadriceps injury in camp. It continued to bother him throughout the season, and he fell to the third-ranked rusher, behind starter Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
and reserve Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
. Green did see action in ten games and recorded 24 carries for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Against Eastern Michigan
2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team
The 2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Eastern Michigan competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference.The team was led by...
, Green rushed for two touchdowns. In the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
against Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
, he rushed 10 times for 72 yards with a 53-yard long and one touchdown.
During spring camp in 2009
2009 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2009 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland during its 57th season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Terrapins played in the Atlantic Division of the conference, and competed against all five divisional opponents, two Coastal Division opponents on a...
, Green commented on his previous preseason injuries by saying, "If I make it through camp, I'll be the happiest guy ever because then I'll know I'll have a good season. It seems like it's the camp jinx for me." Starting quarterback Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
said of Green, "I think Morgan can be a huge key in this offense ... I think Da'Rel [Scott] gets a lot of the exposure because he's obviously explosive, but Morgan is actually a big, explosive, and fast back."
In the spring of 2010, he approached head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
and discussed his future with the team. Green decided that he would finish his degree at Maryland and then transfer to Towson University
Towson University
Towson University, often referred to as TU or simply Towson for short, is a public university located in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland, U.S...
for the remainder of his athletic eligibility. Green, however, did not join the Towson football team for the 2010 season.