Potential QB Commit Spent Half Decade Trying to Land on Razorbacks' Radar

After failing to get attention of Pittman, Briles in high school, Green took advantage of unexpected opportunity to force Power Five schools to finally see him at Boise State

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Dec 11, 2023 1:31 PM EST
Original:
Dec 11, 2023

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Watching film on Boise State quarterback Taylen Geen, who many believe will commit to Arkansas out of the portal, it's hard to believe he was ever completely off the Razorbacks' radar, but that was certainly the case back in 2020 when the lanky quarterback was finishing up his high school career.

Turn on the film and Green immediately calls back to the days of Matt Jones. The long, slow stride of the 6-foot-6 quarterback looks like he's barely moving, yet he keeps pulling away from defensive backs as he gallops on long run after long run. During his red-shirt freshman season, Green ran for 586 yards on 81 carries and 10 touchdowns, including one of 91 yards, despite only playing in 10 of the Broncos 13 games.

In the Frisco Bowl, a 10 mile drive from where he grew up, Green blistered North Texas for 119 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He also finished the year with 2,042 yards and 14 touchdowns passing. He may not have been on the radar of many schools coming out of high school, but his 2022 coming out party had Power Five schools in need of a quarterback hoping he would wander into the portal. They would have to wait a year.

It wasn't like he was overlooked. Green began his career at Allen High School, pre-Chad Morris. The Eagles were in the midst of one of the most dominating stretches of football in American history as a Texas high school picking the best athletes from a student enrollment larger than most county seats in Arkansas. The place crawled with scouts every week.

When he transferred his junior year, it was to Lewisville, a school a few miles west that plays in one of the most high profile 6A districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Again, if he took a swig of Gatorade, there were scouts stacked deep taking note. Despite arriving at the end of preseason camp, Green forced his way into the starting role with the Farmers, throwing for 2,217 yards and 25 touchdowns while picking up the offense on the fly.

His senior year, Green threw for 2,431 yards on 30 fewer attempts while also running for 653 yards in only nine games. Yet, when his offers came, it was a tepid list. Texas Southern, Missouri State, UTEP and Wyoming among others. The only school to offer that had any sort of name recognition was Boise State.

The lack of Power Five interest was a result of college coaches not thinking he had the arm strength to succeed at that level. This perception kept him out of the Top 100 recruits in Texas. Even when he signed with Boise State, he was thought of as a long-term project to create depth under Bryan Harsin.

Green never played for Harsin, The Broncos' coach headed south to Auburn, lessening Green's chances at ever getting a shot at one day starting at Boise State.

Hank Brachmeirer came into 2022 with all the flowers due a stud quarterback. He had relegated Green to career back-up the previous season by throwing over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Now, with two years under his belt and the opportunity to put himself on the radar of NFL scouts his final two seasons, there was little Green could do other than work hard and pray for a few blowouts.

Then the unthinkable happened. Brachmeirer fell apart early in the season. He threw three interceptions in four games and twice finished up 100 yards passing, including a 30-yard performance on 4-of-8 passing with two interceptions against Oregon State.

Green was thrown into the game as a bit of an afterthought while head coach Andy Avalos tried to figure out what was wrong with his star quarterback. However, no one forgot him from then on as he played so well with his opportunities created by Brachmeirer's inconsistencies that Brachmeirer saw the writing on the wall and quit the team. It was now Green's show.

Green blew Brachmeier off the field against Oregon State, going 19-of-28 for 155 yards passing and over 100 yards rushing on 11 carries in relief. The next to last weekend of September, Brachmeier went 13-of-34 for 93 yards in a blowout loss to UTEP, leaving the program shortly afterward with a fired offensive coordinator in his wake.

Green was left to pick up the pieces on a broken season. The Broncos won eight of their last 10 and were never blown out again. He led a downtrodden team to the Mountain West championship game, though Boise State came up short against Fresno State. By the end of Green's second season as a starter, there was no coming up short.

The Broncos blasted Barry Odom's upstart UNLV Rebels, 44-20. A defense that held its own all season gave up 316 yards of offense and four touchdowns to Green in a balanced performance.

What was once seen as a weak arm has evolved into an ability to throw a quality deep ball. Green has a soft touch on his throws that make them easy to catch. The one downside is they're also easier for defenders to catch. Green's touchdown to interception ration is alarmingly high.

If he follows through in signing with Arkansas, he and current back-up Jacolby Criswell will find themselves locked in a tight battle. Criswell has more pop on his passes, while Green brings more experience and more explosiveness in the run game. Both possess a solid ability to keep their eyes up when the pocket breaks down.

With Malachi Singleton also in line to push for the starting job, adding Green to the mix would make for one of the most entertaining offseasons at Arkansas in a long time. Of course, he still has to make it official. Razorback fans shouldn't have to wait long to find out whether he will.