The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Greene excited for leadership role at NDC
If he’s healthy, D.J. Greene will probably rush for a 1,000 yards for a third straight season at Notre Dame College this fall.
He’ll probably score a bunch a touchdowns too.
With two seasons still to play, Greene is emerging as one of the nation’s best running backs in Division II.
That’s not front and center on Greene’s to-do list this season.
The most important thing he does this summer and into the fall might be as simple as seeing trash on campus, picking it up and throwing it away.
Becoming a leader for the Falcons is the role Greene is embracing as a junior.
The Willoughby South grad is finding out what it means to be an upperclassman in college, and he’s ready to take that on for the betterment of the team.
“Everyone’s looking at me to be a leader,” Greene said after a recent practice at the South Euclid campus. “I’ve been getting myself ready to be there for (the underclassmen), preparing them and preparing myself also. As a freshman, I led with my actions on the field. Now, I have to lead off the field.”
As a freshman, Greene was named Mountain East Conference Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,132 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last season, he rushed 1,007 yards and seven scores.
Greene expects more from himself in 2017. He called his season a year ago “average.” Individual accolades aren’t the main thing on Greene’s mind, especially during training camp.
As an upperclassmen, it’s team first, bringing a mature mentality every day and making sure the rest of the team sees it.
“It comes with growing up,” said Greene. “That’s what I had to do, grow up for these guys. I’ll help lead these guys on the field, but what am I doing off the field? Am I setting a great example? Am I doing great in class? Am I respecting everybody? What if I’m walking to class and I see trash? Am I picking it up and throwing it away? Letting those guys see that, the little things, is big.”
In many ways, Greene looks and acts like a different player from his first two years at NDC. Being elevated to upperclassman status is a big thing, said Greene, but so is simply appreciating the game of football.
“It’s done so much for me, especially all the things I’ve been through,” he said. “It’s great for me, and great for my family. It keeps them in a positive environment watching me play.”
Three years ago, Greene and his family were dealt a tragedy when his father, Ladennyawn Greene, was killed by his then-wife (who is not related to D.J.) in October 2014 during a domestic dispute in Garfield Heights.
The woman who stabbed Ladennyawn Greene in the abdomen during the altercation at her home was not charged. Garfield Heights prosecutor Patrick Cooney said the stabbing was in self-defense.
Those memories are still there, but Greene has used them as motivation to set good examples for his sister Dasha Wilson, and now his underclassmen teammates.
“He’s bought in to everything,” said NDC coach Mike Jacobs. “Seeing the success in a guy like (former NDC player and VASJ grad) C.J. Germany (with the Rams in training camp) and (the Chiefs’ and fellow South grad) Kareem Hunt, those are guys he can pattern himself after,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs is excited about his 2017 squad, especially with the likes of Greene and three-year starter Malik Grove (2,714 yards, 35 TD passes in 2016) back at quarterback.
The Falcons were 9-2 a year ago, and are 13-3 in
their last 16 games. They return eight starters on an offense that averaged 447 yards and 32 points a year ago.
This season could also be a breakout one for slot receiver and kick returner Marvelle Ross (VASJ).
Ross was a force on special teams last year with three kick returns for TDs. He averaged 31 yards on kickoffs and 12 on punt returns.
Ross, a sophomore, said he’s ready to take on a bigger role on offense, while maintaining his presence as a feared kick returner.
Having Greene in the backfield brings a comfort level to the offense that’s vital, said Ross.
“That’s perfect for us because once D.J. gets going, that opens up things,” he said. “Once (defenses) start stacking the box, that’s when we air it out. Having D.J. is the luxury of our offense.”
In turn, that talent out wide helps protect Greene from opposing defenses zeroing in on him.
“Why not (spread the field) and open up things?” said Greene. “We don’t have to force things because we have so many great receivers, and it works the same way when I’m running the ball.”