William Green - Time To Make It Count
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 | Football
By Lacey Duncan, UF Communications
If someone were to ask Hoover, Ala., native William Green where he envisioned himself four years ago, Gainesville probably would have come up in conversation. However, the senior defensive end could not imagine how the transition from high school to college, from Hoover to Gainesville, would play out. The adjustment to college is hard for any student, and, while it was a trying experience for Green, the transition into The Gator Nation was smooth.
Growing up just 60 miles away from Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium, Green knows perfectly well about the rivalry between the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It is one that has existed since the teams' first meeting in 1916. It is also one that Green had to consider when he was being recruited by both teams.
The 6-foot-4, 256-pound Green played football at Spain Park High School. In fact, he spent his high school years playing on a home field whose Friday-night-lights glowed over an hour away from Tuscaloosa.
But, the Tide wasn't rolling at the right speed for Green.
“I really wanted to branch out. I wanted to see something different; have a challenge. So, I decided to come to Florida.”
Although Green doesn't have the chance to visit Hoover too often, he has faced Alabama three times during his college career. As a freshman, he played against the Tide for his first time in the Georgia Dome with the 2008 SEC Championship at stake. The rookie helped the defense do its job, and secure a Florida win. He then repeated that role a month later as the Gators downed Oklahoma, 24-14, in the 2009 FedEx BCS National Championship Game to secure the program's second national title in three seasons.
After a successful first encounter with the Crimson Tide, his sophomore and junior years did not produce the same result. The 2009 season saw Alabama claim the SEC Championship on its way to the national title, and on Oct. 2, 2010, Florida suffered a regular-season loss to the Tide in Tuscaloosa.
Three-hundred and sixty-four days later, Green will have the opportunity to play against UA in his favorite domain: The Swamp.
“Most people probably don't even know I'm from Alabama,” Green acknowledged. “Well, more people probably know than I think, but my mentality is to win the game regardless.”
While some Gator fans might consider the Florida-Alabama game to be the teams' biggest of the season, Green disagrees for two reasons.
“For one, they are a West team, and they don't affect our line to the SEC yet,” Green explained. “Second, LSU is pretty good too. That's one thing people probably don't understand, how important each game really is. I don't think we have a biggest game of the season; they are all really important. Regardless of what game we are about to play, whether it's the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) or the University of Alabama, all of our opponents are nameless and faceless.”
Green's goal is to play in the Georgia Dome again this December and to walk off the field with the same result as his freshman year.
“I think we are going to get there,” Green predicted. “I have a lot of confidence in our team; I like the energy around the program and where we are mentally. I feel really good about our team right now.”
Green's senior leadership has helped the Gators succeed so far this season. It has also allowed other players to look to him for guidance during the transition to current head coach Will Muschamp's defensive schemes.
“A lot of guys were nervous,” the former Parade High School All-American admitted. “Change isn't easy. Some guys were not comfortable with getting a new coach - some people wanted a new coach and some people didn't.”
However, Green knew that the underclassmen were looking up to him.
“I embraced it, and I tried to lead by example,” he explained. “I'm not a big talker and have been doing the best I can.”
Upon his graduation from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in criminology, Green plans to use his leadership skills and attend law school. While a professional football career remains his first choice, a future in law was sparked after he took a law course over the summer.
While Green plans for his future, one thing won't change – his pre-game ritual. It is a process that he makes sure is done the same every week.
“I've got to put everything on the right side of my body on first. When I put my socks on, I put my right sock on first and my right shoe on first. With my gloves, I have to put my right one on first, then my left one; you know what I'm saying? ”
Green has one final opportunity to suit up and play a team from his home state in The Swamp. The transition to Florida may not have been easy throughout his tenure, but he has zero regret about what colors he will donning on game day.
“I'm glad I'm here now.”
