AJ Green to join the NFL ranks
In a move that was widely expected, A.J. Green, a junior from Summerville, S.C. announced today he is giving up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft.
Green is projected by most as a top-five overall pick.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for me,” Green said this afternoon from his home in South Carolina. “This is a longtime dream since I was a little boy. I felt like my skills were up to par to make that jump. I felt like I proved myself in one of the best conferences in college football from day one. I felt like I could easily make that next step to the NFL and do the same.”
Green finished his Georgia career ranking third in receptions (166) and receiving yards (2,619) and second in touchdown catches (23) despite missing the first four games of this past season for selling a bowl jersey for $1,000 to someone the NCAA considered an agent.
“A.J. has made an immeasurable impact on our team over the past three seasons, and we wish him nothing but the best,” coach Mark Richt said in a statement. “I’ve enjoyed the blessing of working with him and getting to know his family, and we wish him all the success in professional football. Once a Bulldog always a Bulldog.”
Here are some excerpts from Green from his teleconference this afternoon:
• On what the last week was like and if there was any doubt on decision:
“Throughout the last couple of weeks, it was pretty hectic just making a sound decision for my family and I. It just came down to what’s best for me. We made the best decision together.”
• On what he needs to do to step up for NFL:
“I’m going to have to improve my game a lot. I’m going to have be a little bigger, faster and be a little smarter. I’m up for that challenge.”
• On speculation he might be No. 1 overall pick:
“Right now I’m not even thinking about that. I’m ready to get out there and train and do what it takes.”
• On if he picked an agent or knows where he’s going to train:
“No, not yet (on both).”
• On Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck deciding to return and does that him you think he’s making right call:
“To each his own, man. We’re our own person and I feel like this is the best decision for me.”
• On if he talked to Matthew Stafford or Knowshon Moreno about his decision:
“Yeah, I talked to Stafford a couple of days ago. I talked to Mo (Mohamed Massaquoi) and people like that and they gave me some great advice.”
• On if he’s talked to Cordy Glenn or Justin Houston on their NFL decisions:
“Yeah, I talked to them a couple of weeks ago but not after that. (He said he doesn’t know what they will do).
• On what he thinks when he reflects on Georgia career:
“I believe I had a great career at Georgia. Coming in as a freshman I never thought I would have the opportunity that I have now to take that step after three years later. I just want to thank my coaches, coach Richt and all of them.”
• On not being on a championship team:
“It hurt. That’s what I came here for. …I’m going to miss the guys and the coaches.”
• On when he came to the final decision:
“I was back and forth, still going over some things. Maybe yesterday. Somewhere around there.”
• On when he told Richt about his decision:
“I told him a couple of days ago, but I still wasn’t sure then.”
• On his draft prospects:
“You can see it now. They’ve got me going from 1-2-3 (overall) You never know with the draft. It’s going to be a fun process to go through.”
• On what type of impact he can make:
“The team that’s going to take me that high is going to get a guy that’s ready to work.”
• On possibility of playing for Panthers, which has No. 1 pick:
“Yeah, that would be close to home and I’m pretty sure a bunch of family could make that trip.”
