Virginia wide receiver Andre Greene Jr. discusses the 2-point conversion catch he had against Boston College and how he's adjusted to UVa since transferring from North Carolina.
Andre Greene Jr. waited three long seasons for a moment like the one he experienced this past Saturday.
With Clary likely sidelined, Virginia football's secondary to be tested against Louisville Virginia football rallies for come-from-behind win to stun Boston College
The Virginia wide receiver cut his route inside, split two Boston College defenders and dashed toward the back of the end zone to catch a 2-point conversion and provide the Hoos some cushion on the heels of fellow receiver Malachi Fields' go-ahead touchdown reception in their win over the Eagles.
After the grab, Greene was greeted with a high-five and a two-handed helmet smack from quarterback Anthony Colandrea as the two jumped up and down in celebration.
"I've known he's a play-maker all year, but seeing that in the game was just confirmation for me," Fields said about Greene.
Said Greene, a transfer from North Carolina and native of Richmond, about his impactful fourth-quarter contribution for the Hoos: "That meant so much to me after going through all the ups and downs of my journey."
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Success has not been guaranteed for Greene early in his college career even though he was highly recruited out of St. Christopher's School and seriously accomplished there, hauling in 42 catches for 833 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Greene was brimming then with potential that St. Christopher's coach Lance Clelland said he had not witnessed previously. Greene was rated as the fourth-best receiver prospect in the country by Rivals.
"I've never seen a receiver who can take over a game like he could in high school," Clelland said.
Clelland played in the Big Ten at Northwestern, had stints in the NFL and coached former Maryland standout wide receiver and ex-Raiders first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey at McDonogh High in Maryland.
"Andre took over games way more than Darrius ever did," Clelland said.
But Greene's transition to the college level was not smooth.
North Carolina opted to add veteran transfer wide receivers like Nate McCollum from Georgia Tech and Tez Walker from Kent State last year, lessening not only Greene's standing on the depth chart but his chances to improve behind the scenes.
Greene caught only two passes for 17 yards a season ago, and in the previous campaign, he logged just three receptions. All three, including a touchdown, came in the Holiday Bowl against Oregon.
"I've been fortunate enough to have been around some really high-level and talented guys," Clelland said, "and he is right up with some of the best. His hand-eye ability and ability to catch the ball is second to none. That's NFL level. It's just the other things. His body and ability to run routes, understanding defenses and that's just needed time to develop."
UVa coach Tony Elliott thought there was more in store for Greene, too, and it's one of the reasons why the Cavaliers pursued Greene when he was in the transfer portal this past offseason.
Elliott recruited Greene the first time around in his past role as Clemson offensive coordinator while Greene was at St. Christopher's.
"He just didn't have a ton of opportunities at his previous institution," Elliott said. "So, with the combination of what we knew coming out of high school and there was limited footage to really go off of, but you knew the potential was there. He just needed an opportunity.
"And then when he showed up here, you could see that there's a ton of talent," Elliott continued. "Just needed a little bit of development."
Elliott and wide receivers coach Adam Mims worked with Greene, he said, and he teamed up with roommate and fellow transfer Trell Harris also. The pair made a pledge to catch extra passes every night.
Greene said he talked often to his dad Andre Greene Sr. and mom Alexis Brown, and told them in recent weeks about how he believed "a breakthrough is coming."
"It's tough when things don't work out, in general," Greene said when asked about his two years with the Tar Heels, "whether that's here, North Carolina or in high school. But I'm so glad I went through that adversity because I feel like I learned so much more."
He was elevated into the starting lineup after Harris suffered a knee injury against Maryland. Greene said he's always tried to prepare like he's a starter anyway, so he felt ready for increased responsibility.
The 6-foot-2, 197-pounder didn't make any catches in his first start at Coastal Carolina, but logged four catches for 25 yards in addition to the 2-point conversion catch against Boston College.
"I'm happy for him," Elliott said, "because again, coming in as a transfer is always tough. You gotta fit into a new locker room, have to learn a new system and he's really taken to that. He's around the building all the time. Even on his own time, he's here putting in work, so just happy to see him have success.
"And hopefully that will breed more confidence to continue to persevere through the development process, which hopefully will develop him into an outstanding player in the future."
Clelland said he gave Greene two items of advice when Greene was deciding on his next destination after he left North Carolina.
Clelland wanted Greene to find a school where he'd be thrilled to earn his degree from whenever his football career ends, and then Clelland hoped Greene could connect with a coach and staff who valued development.
"And them being teachers and nurturers," Clelland said, "because these are young men who still need that. ... And I know he found that in UVa and Coach Elliott."
Greene said he's been bought into doing everything he can to better his skills also.
"I've tried to silence all the noise and have tunnel vision to focus on what's in front of me," he said. "I try to be the hardest worker and work like I'm the least talented player on the team. I'm just trying to get my edge from doing extra and not relying on anything naturally."
Greg Madia
@GregMadia on X
Louisville at Virginia
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