Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
‘Big Play’ in making
Linebacker is bent on backing up reputation
The 19th in a series profiling newcomers on the 2015 Arkansas football roster.
Dre Greenlaw earned the nickname “Big Play Dre” during his time at Fayetteville High School.
Now he is doing all he can to make sure he lives up to the moniker as a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team.
Greenlaw, a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s All-Arkansas Preps first team last season, said he has been more focused on academics and putting in the necessary off-the-field preparations than when he’s going to make his first big play for the Razorbacks.
“It’s about getting in the weight room, getting as physical and mentally ready as possible, and being a step ahead of the game as much possible,” said Greenlaw, who also was named to the All-Arkansas Preps Sophomore Team in 2012. “No. 1 is to get my grades up so I can always be eligible, then not having to worry about that and focusing on learning everything it takes to help this team.”
Greenlaw did plenty last season while helping Fayetteville advance to the Class 7A state championship game, where it lost 24-21 to 7A-West rival Bentonville.
He led Fayetteville with 76 unassisted tackles, 54 assisted tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 12 pass breakups and forced 2 fumbles, recovering 1. He also had a punt return for a touchdown and returned 17 kickoffs for 504 yards.
Greenlaw had an interception and 13 tackles in the championship game against Bentonville, and caught two passes — including a 40-yarder — for 52 yards.
He scored touchdowns on
punt, kickoff, fumble and interception returns as a junior, and Fayetteville Coach Daryl Patton said it was a no-brainer to find a way to get Greenlaw
more touches last season.
“It seemed like every time he touched the ball either catching it, throwing it or running it, he was scoring,” Patton said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever heard where somebody has scored that many ways. He was a big-play magnet.”
Greenlaw completed 2 of 3 passes for 82 yards last season, including a 47-yard touchdown on a wide receiver reverse in a playoff game against Cabot. He also rushed 21 times for 52 yards and 5 touchdowns and had 11 catches for 240 yards and 3 scores.
Patton said sticking Greenlaw in as a punt returner was an added headache for opponents.
“Any time you’ve got a 6-1, 210-pound kid back there that can run, if you can just get the ball in his hands, you’ve got a chance,” Patton said. “He was a weapon for us, and I think every team that we played knew about him and probably tried to angle punt and punt away from him.”
Playing for a NCAA Division I school in his own back yard was enough of an enticement to sign with the Razorbacks, but Greenlaw also was attracted to Arkansas State, where his foster father, Brian Early, serves as the defensive line coach.
“He supported whatever decision I wanted to make,” Greenlaw said. “He’s all for me. I can always call him and ask him questions and know I will have his support. It would be no different if I was right there beside him over there or right here.”
Patton said he knew choosing between Arkansas and ASU was going to be difficult for Greenlaw, who received his first offer from the Red Wolves. Patton said the do-everything star erased any doubts about whether he could play for the Razorbacks as his senior year progressed.
“When he sat down and looked at the chance to play in the SEC, the chance to play for the flagship program in the state of Arkansas, the chance to play for the team in your back yard where your family and friends can see you, he knew it was the right choice,” Patton said. “With him I think it was in his head, ‘I’m not good enough to play there. Can I play there?’ I think the light went off in his head this past football season that showed him, ‘I am one of the top recruits and players in the state, and I can play at Arkansas.’
“I think Arkansas got a steal by getting him. I really do. I think he’s going to be a fabulous player for them.”
Greenlaw said he has put on 12 pounds and has improved his speed since taking part in the Razorbacks’ summer offseason workout program. Initially he was projected to play in the secondary, but it looks like he will begin fall practice at the weakside linebacker spot.
“I’m making progress every day,” Greenlaw said. “The goal for me is to be at 230 [pounds], so I’m not for sure if I’m going to be a redshirt or not, but that’s the goal for me now. The last time I was clocked at a 4.5 [seconds in the 40-yard dash], and I definitely feel like I’m faster now.
“I haven’t been told about any offense, but I’m pretty sure I could do it. I’m just looking forward to getting out on the practice field where I’ve had these dreams and making these dreams became a reality.”
He admits to embracing being called “Big Play Dre” in high school, but he knows playing in the 7A-West Conference doesn’t compare to playing in the SEC.
“The college level is real different than high school,” he said. “I’ve been practicing and making some big plays already, but I don’t really think about it. I feel like the big plays will just come natural.”