— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall’s Mike Green and J.J. Roberts added more evidence to their folder Monday in their quest to play football at the professional level.
Green, a defensive end, and Roberts, a safety, were among 15 players who took part in Marshall’s 2025 Pro Day at the indoor facility at the Chris Cline Complex.
Of the 32 NFL teams, 29 were represented by either a head coach, assistant coach down to scouts watching the prospects take part in seven various drills. One of the most watched was the 40-yard dash.
“It was great to come back and see all my teammates I played with,” Green said. “It was a pleasure to go out with them and show what we can do. Marshall is my second home. I love everybody here. This is nerve-wracking at times, but to be back at Marshall took some of the anxiety away. Probably not as nervous as I would’ve been somewhere else. I believe I did a good job. There’s extra noise. I don’t look at who’s here. I focus on my thing. Try to be successful.”
Green’s drawn a lot of attention since he wrapped up his career with the Thundering Herd as the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The transfer from Virginia helped Marshall win the SBC title and topped the FBS in sacks with 17 (matching the school record).
Green has become arguably the biggest riser in this year’s draft class.
For those who questioned whether Green could go up against Power 4 stock, he answered the question during a drill at the Senior Bowl. He was an edge rusher from the left side and went up against Oregon offensive right tackle Josh Conerly. At the snap, Conerly dropped back into a pass-blocking stance. Green took him on directly, knocking Conerly backward and onto the ground. The video still circulates on social media.
Whew, Marshall EDGE Mike Green bulldozes Oregon OT Josh Conerly #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/dy1dUstQko
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 29, 2025
“I made a case I think about every single doubt somebody had about me,” Green said. “In the postseason I’ve been able to counteract that with my performance and the way I played. I know I don’t have some of the physical attributes, lacking swing span, but I continued to show this player is not who you think I am. The more opportunities I got, the more I showed that.”
Green attended the NFL Scouting Combine last month in Indianapolis. He was the third Marshall player to go to the premier showcase of college talent, where there were 329 players this year. Previous Herd reps were Rasheen Ali and Ethan Driskell.
Green took part in verbal sessions. He saved the physical stuff for pro day and stayed out of some drills as he continues to battle nagging ailments.
Green’s been tagged as a possible first-round pick when the NFL conducts its draft April 24-26 at Lambeau Field and adjacent Title Town District in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The last Marshall player to go in the first round was quarterback Byron Leftwich in 2004.
“Every prospect’s got some stress,” he said. “It’s a great experience. Growing up as a kid, I combined the Senior Bowl and the whole pre-draft process and it’s everything I dreamed it of being. To be able to go through this process is a blessing. Soak up everything I can. To be a No. 1 means a lot. Marshall gave me a lot of things and I’ve got a lot to give back to Marshall. A lot of great football players have walked through here. Twenty-two years later and be able to make the first round means lot to me and the university.”
Green said he got a Marshall tattoo on his right arm recently and unveiled it during his meeting with media.
Green also paced all FBS players in sack yardage (144), tackles for loss (22.5), TFL yardage (155) and tackles by a defensive lineman (84). He landed first-or second-team spots on many All-America teams.
Green said he’ll spend much of the time prior to the draft traveling as he expects up to 30 visits with NFL teams. He’ll also do his best to stay in shape.
“I hope the hotels have weight rooms to work out in,” Green said.
Regardless of what happens, Green said Marshall will always have a special place in his heart. He went from a high school player in Williamsburg, Virginia, to college performer at first Virginia and then Marshall.
“From Virginia to here, full circle,” he said. “Goes back to what my high school coach said, ‘get everything out of it what you put into it.’ I think I put a lot into Marshall — not only on the field, but off the field. Marshall taught me a lot, guided me to this point where I am now. The question about whether Mike Green can play against Power 5 competition? That drill (Senior Bowl) showing I can helped my stock a lot. Put out the most I can.”
Green said it’s possible he would get invited to Green Bay for the Draft or he’ll most likely be at home in Williamsburg.
Roberts enjoyed an all-state career at Cabell Midland High School, went to Wake Forest and then came back to Marshall two years ago via transfer. He recorded 94 tackles as a senior and 73 as a junior.
“First give all glory to Jesus Christ. Last night I was praying let me have a good day,” he said. “I was glad with the performance. The last month or two all I could think about was today. Twenty-nine teams are here. Nerve-wracking. Once on the field, everything went away. It feels great to be done with it.”
Roberts had a vertical leap of 40.5 inches with a 4.41 finish in the 40.
“Forget the logos, not on my mind,” he said. “Put my head down and grind. This means the world to me. Ask me a couple of years ago if I’d be in this position and I’d have said I don’t know. God’s plan. Just keep following.”
Roberts knows there will be questions about competition level leaving a Power 4 program at Wake Forest to Group of Five member Marshall.
“Have a routine. Go about your business,” he said. “It’s not a Power 4 school, but you can do it. When I first got here as a transfer there’s the story God told me a step down is a step up. Been praying about it. Come full circle. It’s crazy. Everybody’s here to support me. Stay fresh, stay in shape. Probably have some interviews to do. Go where God takes me.”
Green said Roberts made a strong impression.
“He’s an athlete. He’s a freak,” Green said. “He can jump out the roof and he’s fast. That first spring practice session, he got three interceptions. He’s special.”
Other players who took part in Pro Day were: Deeve Harris, Jeremy Jones, TyQaze Leggs, Jason Shuford, RaQuan Thompson, Elijah Ellis, Jude Okolo, Christian Fitzpatrick, DeMarcus Harris, Jordan Houston, Ethan Payne, Ish Roy and J’Coryan Anderson.
Also looking on was current Marshall coach Tony Gibson. He’s taken over for Charles Huff, who now is head coach at Southern Mississippi. Gibson, a former N.C. State defensive coordinator, is currently leading the Herd in spring practice.
“Great experience for our program,” Gibson said. “Good to see these guys who have so much to Marshall and get the chance to showcase their talents. Just a really good day. A couple stood out. Mike and J.J. I’m excited to see what happens to these guys in the future. They build a four-year resume, but a lot comes down to testing and numbers. They got themselves ready for this day.”
Gibson said a day such as Monday should provide incentive for future Herd players.
“There’s been great tradition, a lot of really good players,” he said.” Quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker, every position there’s been a guy at Marshall to represent. Just keep building on what they’ve built. To see the guys achieve their goals, they put in the work. I told our upperclassmen what they’ve done for this program.”