The Commercial Appeal

Memphis DB commitment Rubin plans to enroll early

- Khari Thompson

White Station's Greg Rubin missed his senior season because Shelby County Schools didn't play football due to COVID-19 concerns.

But the 5-foot-11, 180-pound defensive back is set to tackle a new adventure soon.

He's planning to sign with Memphis in December and enroll early, according to coach Reid Yarbrough.

"I think he's got a good opportunit­y to compete maybe sooner rather than later," Yarbrough said. "And being a local guy going to play there and having good familiarit­y with the coaches, there's a certain pride that comes with being part of the program. I think he's going to get on campus this spring and potentiall­y turn some heads."

Rubin, a three-star cornerback, is the No. 24 college prospect in Tennessee for the Class of 2021 according to the 247Sports composite. He's the eighth-highest rated recruit in the Tigers' 2021 class, which has 23 commitment­s. The recruiting class is ranked No. 46 nationally and No. 2 in the AAC.

His other offers include Duke, LSU, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt among others.

Rubin is also No. 4 on the Commercial Appeal Dandy Dozen, a collection of the top college football prospects in the Mid-south for the Class of 2021 as picked by the newspaper.

Rubin said that he knew he wanted to be a Tiger early in his recruiting process.

"It was Memphis all the way pretty much," Rubin said. "Auburn got in touch at the end and they were talking to me, but I was already committed by then and my mind wasn't changing."

He said he picked the Tigers because of his relationsh­ips with the coaching staff. He said that being able to stay close to home was a bonus as well.

"The coaching staff and the culture, we clicked. We always had that connection," Rubin said. "I kept in touch with them and we built a great bond and everything. And I like the style that they play. It fits me.

"They don't quit regardless of what adversity they face. It's just that grind. Just like the city."

Rubin started at receiver and cornerback for White Station. He said Rubin was a shutdown corner at the high school level.

"We like having him at corner because essentiall­y we don't have to worry about one side of the field almost," Yarbrough said. "He's good in man coverage, he does well with his backpedal and he's got good hips. He's an instinctiv­e and intelligen­t player and he really doesn't shy away from contact, he invites it."

Yarbrough described Rubin as a laid-back, easy-going guy who takes his training and on-the-field role seriously. He said that Rubin was one of the most competitiv­e players on the team and was finding his voice as a leader.

"He's a coachable guy. He's become more of a vocal leader in this past year," Yarbrough said. "And he's one of those guys that you want your whole program to be like because he does what he's supposed to do. I really have enjoyed coaching him and being around him these past four years."

 ?? SUBMITTED ?? White Station's Greg Rubin is a three-star Memphis defensive back commitment
SUBMITTED White Station's Greg Rubin is a three-star Memphis defensive back commitment

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