Reggie Green to the University of Pittsburgh

                Cranford quarterback Reggie Green will be taking his prodigious talents to the University of Pittsburgh, ending a recruiting contest that came down to two schools in Pennsylvania’s largest cities and disappointed the runner-up Temple of Philadelphia.  Like most college choices, Green’s final decision which was announced on his Twitter account, was not easy and came down to his relationship with the Pittsburgh coaching staff, the attractiveness of the school, his immediate playing prospects and even the conference that Pittsburgh will play in.

In the rapidly changing college football landscape Green will join a current Big East school that moves to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) next year. Although Temple is now a Big East member and the ACC includes no school within 200 miles of Cranford, Green‘s family will be able to see him play in Maryland and Virginia, where he has many relatives.  Green also had offers from Boston College, UMass, Michigan State, North Carolina .State, Rutgers and Central Florida.

The thoughtful Green also looked at Pittsburgh’s current roster and saw an upperclassmen dominated receiver corps that gives him an immediate chance to contribute next season.

“Colleges don’t hand you anything but the opportunity will be there to play right away at wide receiver. The competition will be very tough but I like the challenge,” said Green, who eliminated Rutgers when the New Brunswick school told him that he was likely to play defense.

“Rutgers is loaded with young wide receivers so it didn’t look like it would be a good fit for me because I would prefer not to play defensive back,” said Green, who was rated as New Jersey’s fourth best quarterback and one of its top thirty prospects.

                Another reason for picking Pittsburgh included its strong Criminal Justice curriculum, a career path Green plans to take when his football career ends.

“College isn’t just about playing football. My parents have always made education a priority in our house. You need a plan after you stop playing,” said Green, whose older brother Will plays basketball at Farleigh Dickinson.

                Cranford Coach Erik Rosenmeier has been the beneficiary of Green’s brilliance the past three years and is certain that Green will continue to find success at the next level.

“Reggie has been a game changer for us the past few years. He makes plays that very few players can make and his competitiveness and unique talent will make him successful at every level,” said Rosenmeier.

                Green has had a penchant for saving his best performances for the biggest stages.  In the state finals against Parsippany Hills, Green ran 23 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns and came up with an interception. Through four games this season Green has completed 21-of-37 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 591 yards and seven touchdowns on 84 carries. In two games he has surpassed 200 yards rushing and while he will miss not being a quarterback next year, Green is optimistic that getting his decision out of the way will help him towards his goal of leading the Cougars to a second consecutive state title.

“I wanted to make the decision as soon as I was certain about it. I think not having the uncertainty will help me have a good finish to my senior year,”