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Home > Bison Media Zone > Bison receiver Eli Green: Building trust with new coaches a priority
Podcast: Bison Media Zone
Episode:

Bison receiver Eli Green: Building trust with new coaches a priority
Category: Sports & Recreation
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2024-03-21 13:00:00
Description: FARGO When Eli Green wasn’t improving his football skills last summer, he was on the golf course working on his game, reaching the point of shooting a low round of 78. Last fall, like a booming drive off the tee, he figured out how to go long in the North Dakota State passing game.

Green emerged as the team’s deep threat averaging 19.5 yards per reception. As the season progressed and as the Bison got deeper into the Division I FCS playoffs, his importance grew.



Gone from last season is veteran Zach Mathis, who led the team with 46 receptions. Green was just one back at 45. He’s not the only veteran returning; Braylon Henderson will be back for his sixth year of school and RaJa Nelson will be playing in his fifth year.



“I feel like I have to step up with those guys to help lead this big group of receivers,” said Green, who will be a junior next fall.



The Bison started spring practice with 11 receivers at full gear. NDSU head coach Tim Polasek said that isn’t enough, saying it can be a strain on the number of practice repetitions.



“I’d like to be one or two guys deeper at receiver,” Polasek said.



It’s doubtful he’ll release some sort of depth chart this spring. Polasek said he’s not big on naming a two-deep depth chart mainly because positions like receiver, running back or tight end require more players than that.



Plus, at least at the beginning of spring ball, it’s a two-way street. The coaches get a prime time chance to evaluate, while the players get a chance to get used to several new staff members. NDSU has a new offensive coordinator in Jake Landry, and Green said it’s important the next few weeks to build “that trust” with the play caller.



One other difference: for the first time in the Division I era, the Bison have a head coach who previously worked with the offense. Craig Bohl, Chris Klieman and Matt Entz were all previously defensive coordinators.



“It’s great to be out here with the team and with all the uncertainties of the coaching changes, it’s good to see how the coaches operate,” Green said. “We’ve been hungry since that last game so to get out here with all the brothers, it’s been awesome.”



At its basics, it appears NDSU’s West Coast offense won't change a whole lot. The Bison will still employ the power running game. They have their top two quarterbacks back in Cam Miller and Cole Payton.



“To get in there and rep with experienced guys, it gives us a different look and a lot of versatility,” Green said. “To have that experience with quarterbacks is a blessing for us and they work super hard at it so we can be in this situation.”



Green said the old stuff has stayed the same. And for players like Green, at least Randy Hedberg is back as the quarterbacks coach and Steve Crutchley returned for his second season as the receivers coach.



“But there are some new things we added,” Green said. “There is definitely a different personality to it and we’re going to get to see how that goes as spring ball goes on. I think a big thing for us is the coaching part, we have to build the chemistry with all of the new coaches. I think the spring has been great building these relationships with the morning workouts, meetings … all of us have to prove ourselves with these new coaches.”


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