Black NFL prospect sparks race debate by claiming teams want him to stop playing QB because of his color
Over a month before the NFL Draft takes place, one of the top quarterback prospects in the player pool is committing to only playing at his preferred position amid desire for him to switch.
Former Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green recently made an appearance on the ‘Outta Pocket’ podcast with former signal-caller Robert Griffin III and his wife, Grete.
Green says that he only wishes to play quarterback at the next level, saying that questions about his ability to switch positions may stem from his race.
‘I mean, I feel like I’m not trying to make this like a whole like race thing, but I feel like they definitely see my color and think I’m just gonna run or think I’m just a runner and really can’t throw or process things,’ Green said.
Griffin, who went through his own issues with stigma about his mobility in the NFL years before mobile quarterbacks became common in the league, nodded in agreement.
Green continued: ‘RG3, I’m pretty sure you’ve been through that… at this process too.
Quarterback prospect Taylen Green claims teams want him to switch positions due to his color
Green passed for over 2,700 yards and ran for over 770 yards in his final college season
‘So I was just trying to beat that stigma and just put everybody on notice that think that way.’
It’s not uncommon for athletic quarterbacks to switch positions when they arrive in the NFL.
For example, former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor found success in the league by switching to wide receiver after spending years as a backup. It extended his career another five seasons before he retired in 2019.
On the flip side, a switch hasn’t always led to that success. After flaming out in the league as a quarterback and pivoting to play professional baseball, Tim Tebow attempted an NFL comeback by converting to tight end. He was cut before the season started.
In his final college football season, Green threw for 2,714 yards, 19 touchdowns and eleven interceptions while rushing for a career-high 777 yards alongside eight touchdowns on the ground.
ESPN NFL Draft aficionado Mel Kiper has ranked Green sixth on his ‘Big Board’ of quarterback prospects and is projected to be a day-three pick.
