University of North Carolina Athletics
Spotlight: Dominique Green
October 18, 2013 | Football
By Michael Melvin
Arriving onto campus in early January of last year, nobody expected that then-walk-on freshman Dominique Green would be stealing the national spotlight in the Tar Heel secondary on a Thursday in October. That is, except for Dominique.
The Tar Heels gave up a total of 322 passing yards to Miami's Stephen Morris, but those yards did not come without a cost. Carolina's defense was able to force four interceptions out of the highly touted senior quarterback, including two crucially-timed interceptions by Green.
"Dominique definitely plays with a chip on his shoulder, he comes down field and breaks on the ball, and doesn't shy away from contact," said senior cornerback Jabari Price. "That's what you need from your cat safety, and Dominique Green is every bit of it."
Green's emergence as a playmaker in the secondary is certainly a promising take-away for the Tar Heel defense. Green finished the game with seven tackles, the third highest tackle total on the team, which was just one shy of his career high against East Carolina just a few weeks ago.
"I don't even see Dominique as a freshman, he's been here since the spring and I always forget because he's really mature," said senior defensive end Kareem Martin. "He caught my eye in spring ball with the plays he was making, and his ability showed tonight with his two picks."
Green's first interception came just 1:51 into the first quarter, setting the pace for the momentum that Carolina's defense would set for much of the game. On the play, Miami's Stephen Morris threw a pass toward the Tar Heel sideline that sailed toward a seemingly open receiver, but Green's acrobatic leap and outstretched hands snagged the ball at the last minute.
"It was kind of a coming out party for Green," said Martin. "I hope he can continue to grow, build and improve his game going forward."
Possibly the most important turning point of momentum for Carolina in Thursday's game happened late in the fourth quarter when Green made what could be called the biggest play of his career thus far. With 8:50 left in the fourth quarter, Green dove and intercepted a deflected ball along the Miami sideline to give Carolina the ball up 23-20 with a chance to ice the game.
"He had two picks, which is pretty good for a true freshman," said Larry Fedora. "He keeps getting better every week."
Green graduated high school from Hargrave Military Academy in time to enroll and participate in Carolina's spring practices and scrimmages. Joining the team as a walk-on, Green earned a scholarship heading into the season and has seen action in all six of Carolina's games.
"Dominique came in as a walk-on freshman from Hargrave, and nobody knew who Dominique was, but once he got here in the spring everyone was like 'Woah, who knew a walk-on could do that'," said Price. "Dominique has taken his thing around with him as a freshman and he showed it tonight on this national stage."
Green's performance this season has come as no shock to his teammates and coaches, and his two-interception game Thursday is just another sign of bigger things to come.
"From day one I always thought he was a great player, and he's a confident player who knows his assignment and knows where he needs to be," said Martin. "What he did tonight, you didn't expect him to get two picks, but it was nothing that was surprising."
