David Green to Give Stanford's Program a Kick

By Jeff Flinn, NFLHS.com

It's not often that punters and place-kickers generate a buzz as loud as Stanford-bound David Green did at this year's U.S. Army All-American Bowl game.

Were it not for the standout defensive performance of Pete Dawkins Award-winning linebacker Chris Galippo, Green might well have joined a fraternity including such standouts as Vince Young, Chris Leak and Ted Ginn Jr., as game MVP.

Green was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, an All-American Bowl record, connecting from 22, 28 and 37 yards in helping the West to a 24-7 victory Jan. 6 in San Antonio. His 10 points scored was also a bowl record.

Headed for Stanford to play for the Cardinal, Green gives new head coach Jim Harbaugh a solid start on special teams.

As a senior at Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, Green was 8-of-10 on field goal attempts and averaged 41 yards per punt.

He also drove 85 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

Regarded by many as the premier place kicker in the country, Green possesses excellent mechanics and has been praised for his poise. He boasts a strong left leg and says he is confident he can be successful beyond 50 yards.

"We didn't kick very often," he said, "so the longest I got to try was a 45-yarder and I made that. I can make it from 50."

Just as impressive as his on-field accomplishments, however, is what he has done off the field.

His cumulative GPA is 3.83; he spends afternoons tutoring his peers, and donates his time volunteering at El Reino de los Ninos, an orphanage in Baja, Calif.

The 6-1, 205 pound kicker said when it came time to choose a college, it was easy.

"Stanford is one of a kind," he said, "I have always wanted to go to school in the Pac-10 and I knew Stanford was the right choice. I visited the school and loved it and hung out with the players and they were just quality guys.

"I'm blessed to go there, it's an awesome school."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.