Aquinas’ Greene an ideal fit for Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is in need of a “comfort zone guy” at wide receiver.
After filling that role for Jameis Winston the past two seasons, FSU receiver Rashad Greene appears to be an ideal fit to fill that void for the Jaguars.
Jacksonville selected FSU’s all-time leading receiver in the fifth round, the 139th overall pick to be exact, of the 2015 NFL draft Saturday. Jaguars Director of College Scouting Kyle O’Brien was “stunned” Greene was available that late in the draft.
Greene (5-11, 182), a former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, slipped a couple of rounds, primarily because he doesn’t have the raw physical skills of a prototypical receiver. The Jaguars, however, looked past Greene’s slim build because he has been a consummate professional during his four years at FSU. For a team in need of a polished, proven receiver, Greene is about as good as it gets for a rookie.
“I think he’s a very humble guy in this day and time of divas,” Jacksonville receivers coach Jerry Sullivan said.
Sullivan met Greene for the first time in February during the NFL combine. He quickly became enamored with Greene as he observed the way he interacted with different coaches and agents in attendance.
“He was very humble, you didn’t feel like you were getting the agent’s spiel. He was talking from the heart and handling himself in a business-like manner,” Sullivan said. “When I came back, I watched tape on him and liked his aggressiveness and the aggressive nature he plays with. He’s not afraid to go inside; he’ll take the hits and pop up and is very productive. I’m sure Jameis Winston was happy to have him as a comfort zone guy.”
Greene led FSU in receiving for each of his four seasons with the program, and he left as the school’s career leader in receiving yards (3,830) and receptions (270).
He should get a shot to immediately crack a receiver rotation that is young and unproven. Greene believes he can help bolster the play of Bortles, who struggled with a depleted surrounding cast as a rookie last season.
“I watched him in college, saw his production last year and I understand that he is a guy that loves the game, wants to be a very good player and what better situation coming in with a guy that is young, just like you, and we can all grow together as a receiving corps with a quarterback that’s young,” Greene said. “As a team, we are pretty young, as well. I’ve got a good feeling about this and it’s going to be a tremendous ride.”
Free agent ’Canes
In addition to the seven Miami Hurricanes selected in the NFL draft, another seven former UM players will get a chance to show off their skills to NFL teams.
Linebacker Thurston Armbrister reached an undrafted free agent agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while defensive back Ladarius Gunter landed with the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Jake Heaps landed with the New York Jets, center Shane McDermott landed with the Dallas Cowboys, defensive lineman Olsen Pierre landed with the Chicago Bears and quarterback Ryan Williams landed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tight end Raphael Akpejiori was invited to a mini-camp tryout with the Miami Dolphins.
While the undrafted free agents face a tough journey to NFL rosters, UM firstround draft pick Ereck Flowers is expected to have an immediate impact with the Giants. The former UM left tackle has a shot at starting immediately and helped the Giants earn a respectable B grade from most NFL draft analysts.
The Hurricanes have delivered 93 draft picks since the start of the 2000 season, a figure that is tied for second among all college teams.