Coming out of high school, Justin Green was ranked as the ninth-best cornerback recruit in the nation by Rivals.com and was being recruited by programs such as Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson to play defensive back. However, Illinois head coach Ron Zook offered Green the chance to stay at running back, and the Kentucky native chose to attend UI.

But when a rash of injuries hit the Illini secondary just before the start of the season, Green went to Zook and offered to make the switch to defensive back. Since making that change, Green has caught the attention of his coaches and teammates.

Green’s strong play on defense should not have come as a surprise. Zook spoke with Green’s high school coach this summer, and was told that if Green was moved to defensive back, Zook would be “the most surprised coach in America.”

“I said, ‘Why do you say that?’ He said, ‘Because I think he is an all-pro defensive back.’ Of course, I took it with a grain of salt,” Zook recalled. “Then when it came into fruition, the way he has kind of picked it up, he is just a natural. He really has done a great job.”

“I have been really impressed with Justin Green,” Zook added.

Through three games, Green has recorded 19 tackles, including six solo tackles, to go along four pass break-ups, tied with junior Tavon Wilson for the most on the team.

Linebacker Nate Bussey said Green’s experience on th e other side of the ball has helped him so far.

“He gets a lot of reads from what the running backs and the offenses do just from the simple fact that he’s been in an offensive scheme for a long period of time,” Bussey said. “It really helps him to react and play faster, so it really enables him to have a better game.”

Green isn’t just relying on his natural abilities to get him by, though, and his dedication to learning the new position has impressed his teammates.

“He’s putting the work and time needed in the film room to make him a better football player and help him understand why we do certain things in certain situations,” Wilson said.

“It’s been a great transition for him. He’s listened to everything that someone tells him, so obviously he’s going to get better and better every day,” Wilson added.

And even though Green came to Illinois for a chance to play running back, he doesn’t envision going back to the offensive side of the ball anytime soon.

“Right now, I would like to stay on defense,” Green said. “I thought I wanted to play running back, but now that I’ve switched to defense I like it a whole lot more than I thought I would, so hopefully they keep me on that side of the ball.”