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Partially Deaf Football Recruit Lands Scholarship Offer From Michigan

Darrion Green's grid-iron dreams continue.

(Photo: Darrion Green via Twitter)

Darrion Green isn't letting anything come between his dream of playing college football — even his own impairment.

The Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas) football prospect, who's partially deaf, proudly took to his Twitter account Wednesday to reveal that he just received his first scholarship offer — from the University of Michigan.

And it's a big deal, considering former NFL coach Jim Harbaugh has Michigan's football program on the rise and a scholarship offer from him sets quite the precedence about Green's skills, mainly as a cornerback, but also as a running back and wide receiver.

"It's really big, and I've been working so hard for it, so it's a blessing," Green said via social media, as reported by Bleacher Report. "I'm thankful to Michigan for believing in me and showing confidence. It feels good and is a relief. I started shaking, and my hands were sweating. My dreams came true. I got the first offer."

The offer itself represents Green not letting his impairment get the best of him. The young cornerback wears hearing aids in both ears under his helmet during games. Derrick Coleman was the NFL's first deaf player, having played with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 through 2015, proving anything's possible.

And Green has been so sharp on the field, including during the recent Opening Dallas regional on Sunday, that one coach couldn't even pinpoint his impairment.

"To be honest, you wouldn't know he's impaired," the competition's defensive backs coach Eugene Jackson told Bleacher Report. "I think he picks up a lot of things from being attentive to detail. Whoever is speaking, he's really focused on him. He fit in like any other kid playing ball. He held his own and he tested well. He has football skills and a lot of savvy."

Salute to young Darrion Green, whose offer from Michigan might be the first of many to come.

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Green said he received the news Wednesday morning from Michigan coaches Chris Partridge (linebackers/special teams), Antonio Richards (offensive analyst) and Greg Mattison (defensive line). He called the coaches and, with the assistance of his brother relaying messages, learned about the offer.

"It's really big, and I've been working so hard for it, so it's a blessing," Green said via social media chat. "I'm thankful to Michigan for believing in me and showing confidence. It feels good and is a relief.

"I started shaking, and my hands were sweating. My dreams came true; I got the first offer."

At 5'11" and 170 pounds, Green is a cornerback who can also line up as a running back or wide receiver. On the offensive side of the ball, he rushed 70 times for 341 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.

But Green's work is most decorated on the defensive side of the ball. He was an all-district cornerback for Woodrow Wilson as a junior and showed his talents at the position during The Opening Dallas regional in Coppell, Texas, on Sunday.

 

"To be honest, you wouldn't know he's impaired," Jackson said. "I think he picks up a lot of things from being attentive to detail. Whoever is speaking, he's really focused on him. He fit in like any other kid playing ball. He held his own and he tested well. He has football skills and a lot of savvy."

 

 


Earning offer No. 1 from Michigan is huge for Green, as head coach Jim Harbaugh just signed a top-five-ranked 2016 class and made multiple headlines with unorthodox-yet-effective recruiting tactics, includingsleepovers and tree climbing with players who ultimately committed to and signed with the Wolverines. Harbaugh is one of the most polarizing coaches in college football, but his 28 signees this past recruiting cycle—including one 5-star and 14 4-star players—can't be ignored.

Green said he received the news Wednesday morning from Michigan coaches Chris Partridge (linebackers/special teams), Antonio Richards (offensive analyst) and Greg Mattison (defensive line). He called the coaches and, with the assistance of his brother relaying messages, learned about the offer.

"It's really big, and I've been working so hard for it, so it's a blessing," Green said via social media chat. "I'm thankful to Michigan for believing in me and showing confidence. It feels good and is a relief.

"I started shaking, and my hands were sweating. My dreams came true; I got the first offer."

At 5'11" and 170 pounds, Green is a cornerback who can also line up as a running back or wide receiver. On the offensive side of the ball, he rushed 70 times for 341 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.

But Green's work is most decorated on the defensive side of the ball. He was an all-district cornerback for Woodrow Wilson as a junior and showed his talents at the position during The Opening Dallas regional in Coppell, Texas, on Sunday.

 

"To be honest, you wouldn't know he's impaired," Jackson said. "I think he picks up a lot of things from being attentive to detail. Whoever is speaking, he's really focused on him. He fit in like any other kid playing ball. He held his own and he tested well. He has football skills and a lot of savvy."

 

 


Earning offer No. 1 from Michigan is huge for Green, as head coach Jim Harbaugh just signed a top-five-ranked 2016 class and made multiple headlines with unorthodox-yet-effective recruiting tactics, includingsleepovers and tree climbing with players who ultimately committed to and signed with the Wolverines. Harbaugh is one of the most polarizing coaches in college football, but his 28 signees this past recruiting cycle—including one 5-star and 14 4-star players—can't be ignored.

Green said he received the news Wednesday morning from Michigan coaches Chris Partridge (linebackers/special teams), Antonio Richards (offensive analyst) and Greg Mattison (defensive line). He called the coaches and, with the assistance of his brother relaying messages, learned about the offer.

"It's really big, and I've been working so hard for it, so it's a blessing," Green said via social media chat. "I'm thankful to Michigan for believing in me and showing confidence. It feels good and is a relief.

"I started shaking, and my hands were sweating. My dreams came true; I got the first offer."

At 5'11" and 170 pounds, Green is a cornerback who can also line up as a running back or wide receiver. On the offensive side of the ball, he rushed 70 times for 341 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.

But Green's work is most decorated on the defensive side of the ball. He was an all-district cornerback for Woodrow Wilson as a junior and showed his talents at the position during The Opening Dallas regional in Coppell, Texas, on Sunday.

 

"To be honest, you wouldn't know he's impaired," Jackson said. "I think he picks up a lot of things from being attentive to detail. Whoever is speaking, he's really focused on him. He fit in like any other kid playing ball. He held his own and he tested well. He has football skills and a lot of savvy."

 


Earning offer No. 1 from Michigan is huge for Green, as head coach Jim Harbaugh just signed a top-five-ranked 2016 class and made multiple headlines with unorthodox-yet-effective recruiting tactics, includingsleepovers and tree climbing with players who ultimately committed to and signed with the Wolverines. Harbaugh is one of the most polarizing coaches in college football, but his 28 signees this past recruiting cycle—including one 5-star and 14 4-star players—can't be ignored.

Green said he received the news Wednesday morning from Michigan coaches Chris Partridge (linebackers/special teams), Antonio Richards (offensive analyst) and Greg Mattison (defensive line). He called the coaches and, with the assistance of his brother relaying messages, learned about the offer.

"It's really big, and I've been working so hard for it, so it's a blessing," Green said via social media chat. "I'm thankful to Michigan for believing in me and showing confidence. It feels good and is a relief.

"I started shaking, and my hands were sweating. My dreams came true; I got the first offer."

At 5'11" and 170 pounds, Green is a cornerback who can also line up as a running back or wide receiver. On the offensive side of the ball, he rushed 70 times for 341 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.

But Green's work is most decorated on the defensive side of the ball. He was an all-district cornerback for Woodrow Wilson as a junior and showed his talents at the position during The Opening Dallas regional in Coppell, Texas, on Sunday.

 

"To be honest, you wouldn't know he's impaired," Jackson said. "I think he picks up a lot of things from being attentive to detail. Whoever is speaking, he's really focused on him. He fit in like any other kid playing ball. He held his own and he tested well. He has football skills and a lot of savvy."

 


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