Cody Green Should Have Left Sooner

Cody Green

On the surface, Cody Green did everything right.   The quarterback from Dayton, Texas only visited one school when he was being recruited.  Nebraska.  The quarterback committed to play for the Huskers early in the process, July of 2008. He was coming off an injury his junior season so why wouldn't he jump at a full ride at a place like Nebraska.

Read Lincoln Journal Star Report

Eager to get started and eager to be the starter he graduated high school early and showed up on campus early so he could compete in spring drills.  One of the many lessons they don't tell you about in the recruiting process or in any college class, even if you do it right doesn't mean it will turn out that way.

The big Texan arrived on campus with huge expectations.  Mobile, strong arm, size, everything you want in a quarterback these days.  Remember a lot of those expectations are hyped up by Rivals, Scout and the so called recruiting experts.  Fans tend to believe what they read (hell they are paying a monthly subscription so it must be right.  Right?)  Green is another in long list of 3-4-5 Star athletes who have lost their shine.

As a student, Green was a a model for the Husker program.  A member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll.  A 2010 member of the Brook Berringer Citizenship team where he volunteered for the school is cool program, National Education Week as well as the Dare program.

Let's be honest, as an athlete Green never seemed comfortable behind center calling the plays.  I always got the feeling he was "thinking" rather than just go on natural "instinct"  His Freshman season he was thrown into the starting roll against Baylor, it might have been his best game ever as a Husker.  Then he started against Oklahoma.  Can you say deer in the head lights!  He lasted a quarter against the Sooners and it was a back up roll the the season.

With a chance to be the full time starter as a sophomore, he couldn't beat out redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez.  Again a back up only to start when Martinez got hurt. The writing was on the wall and this spring Green didn't do anything to enhance his signature.   This game is about winning and if coaches don't think they can with you, there a couple of choices.  Be a back up the rest of your career or move on down the road and look for something better.

Career numbers:   Games:            17
                            Games Started 4
                            66-122 657 YDS  5 TD's and 3 Int

Tim Beck

Green was a Shawn Watson guy.  Watson gone, Green gone.    But he won't be the first highly touted quarterback recruit to fizzle out.  Curt Dukes,  Harrison Beck, these names ring a bell?  He certainly won't be the last.   This is a harsh reminder (I've been preaching this for years)  it doesn't matter how many starts so called experts put by your name in high school, the college game is completely different.  Listen, I don't think he ever figured out Watson's system.   I am a little surprised that he didn't feel comfortable with Beck.  The system is supposed to be simpler and could hi light his natural abilities.  But the writing is also on the wall with Taylor Martinez and the spring game darling Brion Carnes.  

Heading into the rugged Big 10, Nebraska now has just two scholarship QB's and one (Martinez) with playing experience.   Bubba Starling says he's going to be on campus in July, but if he's a top 5 pick in the MLB draft, there's no way.

The Huskers are getting a lot of pre-season love, a top 15 team by most publications.  A new offensive system and now very, very thin on experience at quarterback could make living up they hype a difficult thing to do.  Ask Cody Green, he knows it's not easy.