Mike Green Interview: '[My] Skill Set Always Shines Through'

Marshall EDGE Mike Green is among the most productive pass rushers in college football. With an FBS-best 15 sacks through 10 games this campaign, Green has exploded onto the scene as a potential top-64 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Furthermore, he's displayed a more well-rounded skill set this season as a three-down defender.

Green recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Green discussed his decision to transfer from Virginia to Marshall, putting in the work to become a better run defender, his pass-rush arsenal, addressing the “small school competition” concerns, and more.

JM: You began your college football career at Virginia. How do you look back on that experience and the decision to transfer to Marshall?

Mike Green: I had a great time at Virginia. They established my skill set. That gave me an opportunity to figure out how I stacked up against talents at that level. Virginia is a P4 [Power 4] school. They gave me a chance to compete with the guys at the highest level. It was a chance for me to stack up early in my career.

Transitioning to Marshall, I knew what the competition would be like. They’ve given me a great chance to take that next step and figure out what comes next. I’ve really rounded out my skill set here. Once I began really getting into the playbook and improving my football IQ, it’s made me a much better player.

That’s when I feel like I really took off as a player. That’s when I started taking the necessary steps. 

JM: One of the biggest things that jumps out at me on tape as you’ve improved is how strong of a run defender you are. It's a bit surprising considering you're listed at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. You don't play small and you're physical against the run.

Mike Green: I came into this season with the mindset that I had to be significantly better against the run. I had to set an example by showing that I could dominate in the run game. I began preparing to reach those goals. I was hearing it from my coaches.

Everybody around me knows I could rush the passer. They really wanted to see how I could defend the run game. I took a different approach this year. I sat down with the coaching staff and we broke down the fundamentals of stopping the run.

It wasn’t about going in there with my head down and just running into people. I learned how to stack and shed defenders. I understand run calls now. I understand how to maintain gap integrity and things like that.

My physical skill set has always been there. Pairing that with the mental aspect, it’s helped me become a significantly better run defender. I’ve been having more success in that area because I put the mental hours in. It’s helped out so far. I’m going to continue applying myself.

JM: The improvement is obvious on tape. You have terrific burst off the ball. Everybody knows you could rush the passer, like you said. You've recorded an FBS-best 15 sacks this season. How would you describe your pass-rush arsenal?

Mike Green: I always have a plan coming into the game. I have a pass-rushing plan and I know what pass sets I’m likely to see from offensive tackles. It can be common for somebody to give you a different look, something you’re not expecting. I think I do a good job of adjusting.

I’m versatile and I understand how to react to offensive linemen. It’s helped me a lot along the way. I think I’ve gotten better as a pass rusher every single year. It’s going to keep getting better as well.

JM: You've been dominant regardless of competition and regardless of how much attention opposing offensive lines pay you. What do you think it is about your approach that allows you to defeat the double teams and the plan they have for you? You always have a backup plan.

Mike Green: For sure I am. Going into every game, it depends on what traits I’m expecting to see from offensive linemen. When we played against P4 [Power 4] schools this year, I knew I’d get more one-on-one opportunities to rush the passer.

I felt like I had the advantage in those situations. Some people may think it’s easier to go up against G5 [Group of 5] or lower-level competition, and that’s definitely a factor, but you also have to think that I’m always getting double-teamed. They’re always sliding protection my way. I’m getting chipped by the running back and tight ends.

They do all these different types of things to try and slow me down. I just have to keep doing a good job adjusting. If I do that, everything else will fall into place. I had more one-on-one opportunities against those better schools, and I relished those opportunities.

They don’t think Marshall is as talented, so they see no need to double team me. I rather play against that than getting double teamed and chipped all the time.

JM: That’s a great point. Whenever your time comes to jump to the next level, you know what the critics are going to say throughout the pre-draft process. He played at Marshall, a “small” school. How will you respond to those critiques?

Mike Green: I think it’s kind of simple. They just have to cut on the tape. The tape is my resume. I pride myself on playing every single game the same way. I approach every opportunity the same. I don’t play down to my competition. I stayed even-keeled the whole way.

I try to maintain a steady level of play. I try to be consistent every single week. That's helped me a lot when it comes to playing against teams on different levels. My response to the competition critiques would be to cut on the film. You can watch any game on my resume and I’ve been consistent the entire way. You’re not going to cut on a game versus a better team and be disappointed.

I have a collection of good tape. The skill set always shines through, no matter the opponent.

JM: We love that. We've appreciated your time today. This has been an outstanding conversation. What are your goals for the remainder of this season?

Mike Green: My main goal is to take this time and make the best decision for me. We’re guaranteed about three more games this season and I still have remaining eligibility. I’m still weighing my options for next year. 

I have to decide if I’m at the level right now to take my talent to the next level. We’re still evaluating that decision and we have a few more games to do it. It’s a good opportunity for me to learn more about myself and where I stand.

I’m just thankful to be in this position. I’m going to continue to play good football.