James Green–Husker Red! | OpenMat News

After a long and laborious recruitment, one of the nation’s top talents has chosen his college destination. James Green, our #3Top Prospect out of Willingboro, New Jersey, has decided to head to the Midwest to continue his wrestling career. Green informed TheOpenMat that he has chosen the University of Nebraska over a list of schools that also included Maryland, Rutgers, Clarion, and Penn State.

A state finalist as a Junior, Green won the inaugural FloNational tournament and made a finals appearance at the Super32 last month. Currently ranked as the #3 wrestler at 145lbs, we have James slated as a 157lb college prospect. Green joins an outstanding and diverse group headed to Lincoln next season. #4Donny Longendyke (HWT, MN), #6Jake Sueflohn (141/149, WI) and HMAustin Wilson (149/157, NE), have previously committed to the Huskers.

We had the opportunity to catch up with James regarding his exciting decision:

WS: Why did you ultimately decide on Nebraska?
JG: The athletic facilities were amazing, they have everything to offer a student-athlete. I got along with the guys on the team and with other recruits that were there on my trip with me. The coaches treated me as a family member and that’s what I want my school to be, a home away from home.

WS: What other schools were you considering?
JG: It started out as a big list. Then thinned out when I sat down and looked at everything. But the top schools were Nebraska, Clarion, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers.

WS: What was the recruiting process like for you?
JG: It was a lot better going into my Jr. year. I knew I would have to step it up and get my name out there. Going to the East Stroudsburg tournament helped. I started getting more letters and calls. It little overwhelming at times .But I think I handled it well. It was stressful coming down to the last signing days but, I got through it.

WS: What is your relationship with the current Husker wrestlers and staff like?

JG: My relationship with the current Huskers is on the up-rise and is only going to get better considering they are like one big family and the coaching staff is good. It couldn’t get any better.

WS: How do you see yourself fitting on the team?
JG: I feel I would fit into the team well especially since I already have the style of a Husker, which is being explosive, and I believe I have a lot to offer.

WS: What are your college goals?
JG: My goals are to get my degree, win as many titles as I can. And not only an individual title, but a team title. Coming from Willingboro, we could never quite put a team together that could do it, so being a part of an ascending program, I think we can get that done. I also want to make a name for myself. I don’t want to be a wrestler that wrestles like this person, or that person; I want to be known for what I was able to do in my own way. And, if everything works out, I want to get on that world team and bring back a gold medal.

Ouch, UN's trail from NJ remains alive. Still, he belongs in New Brunswick, but the scholly cash is slim these days.

Originally Posted by kr1963

Even though he lost to Stinson & D. Alton last year, I really liked the kid & had hoped he would go to PSU. Good luck to him in Nebraska & in the B10.

Don't let the loss to Stinson fool you. He owned Stinson for 5:53 of that bout, relaxed off the last restart and Stinson slipped behind and was able to get 2 tilt points at the buzzer. Chalk that one up to youngster inexperience. He could have backed off and taken a stall, he could have shot and sat on leg. He relaxed, let Stinson tangle and lost himself the bout.

I'm not surprised, Nebraska has strong ties to South Jersey. I'm sure Jordan Burroughs exerted much influence. Nebraska moving to the Big Ten didn't hurt.

Originally Posted by kr1963

That would create quite a logjam @ PSU considering that Kemerer is already a small & squat 65. I couldn't imagine him @ 74 even if Ruth & Wright moved up a weight. That sort of picture could just deter any current middleweights, like Green, from signing with PSU right now.

In the coming years someone decent is probably going to have to sit at PSU. Not like Kemerer is that great, if it's gotta be someone you'd probably like it to be him if you're PSU.

Next year: 149-Frank, 157-Dylan Alton 165-David Taylor, 174-Ed Ruth, 184-Quentin Wright.
That'll work.