If your favorite team is looking for an under-the-radar defensive back prospect in the 2020 NFL draft, Oklahoma State’s Alvin Green should be on their short list.
An experienced defender who leads by example, Green recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to return for his senior season in Stillwater, how he approaches covering receivers with differing skill sets, and what kind of impact he’ll have at the next level.
JM: What can you tell me about the decision to return for your senior season?
AG: I just felt like I had more to accomplish on the field honestly. I wasn’t done yet. I had some personal goals or achievements that I was still striving for. As I continued to think about it, playing another season of college football with my brothers started to sound better and better to me.
JM: You’ve started every game since your sophomore year. Not only have you been durable, but that experience is huge. How will that serve you well going forward?
AG: I’ve played a lot of football throughout my time, and mostly at the cornerback position. I have a lot of experience under my belt. Playing in a pass-happy conference like the Big 12 has prepared me for what’s next. I know that all of us rookies will face a steep learning curve as we get acclimated to the NFL but playing against these high-powered Big 12 offenses should have at least given me a little hint of what to expect.
JM: You’ve played in so many different systems, but I’m curious if there’s a scheme that you think fits you best at the next level?
AG: I wouldn’t say that I have a preference per se. I do enjoy being right up in the wide receiver’s face though. I like to get my hands on him and re-route him a little bit. I definitely enjoy playing press man.
JM: How do you cover a bigger, more physical receiver differently than you would a smaller, shiftier one?
AG: You wanna be more physical with those bigger, taller receivers. I have to use my finesse to my advantage with those guys. I’ll probably have a lower center of gravity with those 6-foot-6 receivers. I try to nag and disrupt them whenever I can. If they’re running an in-breaking route for example, I can use my quickness and shiftiness to be one step ahead of him. With those smaller and faster receivers, I also try to disrupt them at the line of scrimmage. I try to bully them a little bit. I try to assert my dominance on those smaller guys.
JM: That’s a great answer. Earlier, we touched on the Big 12 offenses and how that prepared you for what’s next. Who are some of the best receivers you’ve ever had to cover?
AG: I‘ve faced some pretty stiff competition in the Big 12. Not just receiver wise, but quarterback wise as well. Receiver wise, a guy like Allen Lazard comes to mind. I’ve squared off with CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Reagor. Those guys were all different but all very talented in their own right. It was fun to compete against all of those guys.
JM: What are three traits a successful cornerback must possess?
AG: You have to be willing to compete on a snap-by-snap basis. You also have to have a short-term memory to play this position. You can’t beat yourself up if something doesn’t go your way. You gotta pick yourself up and get ready to compete on the next snap. Lastly, you have to be a film junkie.
JM: How did practicing against Chuba Hubbard make you a better run defender?
AG: Chuba is the type of running back that has the ability to see a tiny hole and punish you for it. He’ll see one cut and he’s gone. He has the ability to beat you to the edge as well. That’s the thing with Chuba. We knew he was coming to compete every day. He always gives it his all. You gotta be on your P’s and Q’s at every practice. Practicing against him, of course we couldn’t really hit him because we’re all trying to stay healthy. We still got to compete against him and we had to learn how to stay low and maintain your leverage.
JM: What kind of impact is Alvin Green going to make at the next level?
AG: I feel like with whichever team that I’m blessed to go to, I’ll make a significant impact on the back-end of their defense. With my size and speed, I have the ability to match up with bigger and smaller receivers alike. I feel like I’m gonna provide a great boost to whichever team decides to take a chance on me.
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