How UNC RB Elijah Green went from fifth on the depth chart to starting for Tar Heels
North Carolina sophomore running back Elijah Green knew the knock against him when he arrived on campus. And when he recalls hearing a TV broadcaster sum it up to, “He couldn’t catch a cold in Alaska,” Green can only chuckle now.
There was a time when that was kind of correct. Green played in an I-formation offense in high school and never had to catch the ball out of the backfield or learn much about pass protection.
It was why he couldn’t elevate in the Tar Heels’ rotation at running back — until now. Green has emerged after starting the season fifth on the depth chart to becoming the starter heading into Saturday’s game at Wake Forest.
“Coming into an offense where the running back is involved a lot into the passing game was a huge adjustment for me,” Green said. “So it kind of took me to use after practice and use a lot of my own time to continue to develop this kind of skill, and it took a lot of hard work and a lot of time and it’s finally coming together for me.”
Green would get a quarterback to stay with him after every practice to catch about 50 passes. After that, he would use the JUGS football passing machine to catch 100 more. Then before bed, he’d throw a tennis ball against his wall and catch it.
It all culminated last week in Carolina’s 31-28 win at Virginia when Green took a flat pass from quarterback Drake Maye down the sideline for a 22-yard touchdown. It was his first career score and his fifth reception in the past three games.
“Just because you have a weakness doesn’t mean that has to stay a weakness,” Green said. “You can always take that weakness and continue to develop and keep working and turn it into a strength, so that’s really what I’ve been able to try to do.”
That’s not all Green is doing. He nearly recorded the Heels’ third 100-yard game this season by finishing with 91 yards rushing against the Cavaliers, too.
Green is hitting his stride when Carolina needs him the most. Running back Caleb Hood is out for the season with an injury. Freshman Omarion Hampton, who owns the only two 100-yard games this season, lost his place in the rotation because of several fumbles. D.J. Jones is finally healthy and has been instrumental on passing downs with his ability to pick up the blitz. But he and freshman George Pettaway have not been used to carry the ball much all season.
Green may have climbed the depth chart earlier, but was slowed after the opener with a wrist injury that caused him to wear a cast over his hand.
“He just kept his head down, kept grinding,” offensive tackle Asim Richards said. “I really respect, he’s a man of his faith so he’s real mature, real into what he’d have to do. And so he just came in, grind and when he got his opportunity, he took it and ran with it. “
How to watch UNC vs Wake Forest football game
The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. It is also available on the ESPN App and through various subscription apps that carry ACC Network, such as Hulu and YouTube TV. The link to watch it is here.
Vegas betting odds
Wake Forest is a 3.5-point favorite, according to VegasInsider.com’s consensus line.
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This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 5:10 AM.