Yesterday we had the privilege of highlighting a Connecticut native that wore blue and orange in college. Now today for day 53, we get to look at a center that also wore blue and orange in college.
Kendrick Green was able to stay in state to play college football for the University of Illinois. Out of Peoria High School, Green was a three star recruit and signed with the Fighting Illini to play defensive tackle.
He redshirted his freshman season as a defensive tackle in 2017 before moving to the other side of the ball in 2018 to play guard. He started all twelve games at left guard and helped pave the way for the twelfth best rushing offense in FBS.
In 2019, Green started all thirteen games, twelve at left guard and one at center for the Illini. He was the number six ranked guard by PFF heading into bowl season and was named All BIG Ten honorable mention.
Greens last year with Illinois in 2020 was a dominant one for him. He started all eight games, three at center and five at guard. PFF graded him as the third best guard and seventeenth overall offensive lineman. Green was named All BIG Ten first team for his tenacious play and leadership.
He was taken eighty seventh overall this past season and it looks like he’ll be the Steelers starting center.
For tomorrow’s part of the countdown, we look at another interior offensive lineman, one that used to play for the Steelers and went to college on the west coast.