Countdown to Kickoff: 3 Days (Tyler Green)

Written by: Lydia Knoll (@lydddknoll)

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There are now only THREE days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Today we look at one of the players battling for the second starting corner spot, Tyler Green

Tyler Green (Sophomore)

-Height: 6’3”
-Weight: 190 pounds
-Hometown: Waldorf, MD
-Position: Defensive Back

Before coming to Indiana, Green was a star player at his high school in Maryland. As the team captain, Green helped lead his team to the conference championship two years in a row. He was an all-state selection and participated in the U.S. Army All-American Combine, as well as the Nike Opening. At the end of his four high school years, Green was ranked the ninth top prospect of Maryland and the nineteenth safety prospect nationally by 247Sports. Coming to Indiana last season, Green got a decent amount of playing time as a true freshman at corner back. He appeared in the final eight games of the season including two starts, against Michigan and his home state school, Maryland. He finished with a total of 16 tackles, 14 solo, with one for loss. 

One look at the player options for defensive back and it’s clear to see that the talent is deep. With returners like Jonathan Crawford, Rashard Fant, Chase Dutra, and Andre Brown Jr., the competition will be steep. Fortunate for Green, he was able to get some playing time his first season after injuries to Dutra and Brown, amongst others. Now, with those upperclassmen back, it may be more difficult for Green to secure a spot in the two-deep, however he has the talent and the length the Hoosiers desperately need opposite Fant. He should be seeing the field plenty this season.

 Looking ahead, Green is certainly capable of becoming a strong part of the Hoosier defense, he may just have to wait his turn behind some of the older guys unless he gets another early shot this season. Green has proved that he can perform at the collegiate level which gives defensive coordinator, Tom Allen, confidence in knowing the depth of his defensive backs will only continue to push his best players more and give him options when it comes to game time. 

Share any comments or memories about Tyler Green or the defensive backs in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!