Height and Weight Just Numbers to Skyler Green

By Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

Skyler Green is a mere 5-foot-9 and weighs 192 pounds. Perhaps that makes him better suited to be an athletic trainer than a professional athlete.

Or perhaps not. To Green, who was a standout receiver at LSU, height and weight are just numbers. Work ethic and determination are what count, and Green is blessed with an abundance of both. He was selected in the 4th round of the NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

High school football players, regardless of their position, should heed this advice: "You don't want anyone to be able to say anything bad about you," says Green. "You want to show up every day, be on time and work hard."

By: Chris Graythen, Getty Images

That's exactly what Green did at L.W. Higgins High School in Merero, La., just outside of New Orleans. That's what he did at LSU, and that's what he intends to do in the NFL. Green recently attended the NFL Scouting Combine in preparation for the NFL Draft later this month.

Though his breakaway speed and ability to get open separate Green from most other college receivers, his high school and college coaches were just as impressed with his attitude as his athleticism.

And while you can't always control the latter, the former is always under a player's command. Green says high school players should never forget that. Even those without the body frame, speed, strength or shifty maneuvers to be all-state caliber can impress their coaches by having a team-first attitude and an all-world work ethic.

Coaches love those types of players and they tend to put them on the field when they can.

"Just go out and compete at the highest level you can," says Green. "Be willing to do what it takes to help your team. If you're a receiver or running back -- or even a quarterback -- that might mean being willing to do kick and punt returns."

That is precisely what helped Green find playing time early on at LSU, before he cracked the starting lineup as a receiver (in fact, he was a first-team All-American in 2003 as a return man. And it may be what helps a high school player get on the field and show his coaches what he can do under pressure.

"I love to do returns," admits Green. "A lot of teams need good return guys, and I want to be that guy whenever I can. If you take that mentality to do what you can to help your team, it's going to be a big bonus and make you a better player."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.