Tyriq Green

Physical Profile

Listed at 5-11, 200 lbs. Taller than 17% and heavier than 73% of 2026 Athlete prospects in the SEC Scouts database (150 with a listed size).

Play Style

A physical, instinctive alley player who is most effective going downhill: triggering on run keys, fitting the alley, and closing on underneath throws in front of him. He tackles like a running back, dropping his pad level and running through contact rather than lunging. He reads route distribution like a skill player and has shown he can turn turnovers and returns into scores. He is less proven as a deep-half or single-high defender because much of his time went to the offensive backfield, so most of his defensive tape shows him close to the line of scrimmage.

Strengths

• Physical tackler with a running back's body: 58 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF and 2 PBU as a senior while also carrying the offense. He plays downhill with contact balance and brings finishing power at 195-200 lbs.
• Advanced instincts on both sides of the ball (Ivins): as a ball-carrier he reads leverage and pursuit angles, and that shows up defensively in quick run fits and route anticipation.
• Ball skills and yards after catch: 16 catches for 177 yards and 3 TDs, plus return TDs on both a punt and a kickoff, show he can turn takeaways into points and give immediate special-teams value.
• Big-game production and program pedigree: MVP of the state title game (11 carries, 182 yards, 2 TDs) at Buford, a perennial 7A power, so he is used to elite competition and high-level coaching.

Areas to Improve

• Coverage reps: split time at running back limited his defensive snap count and film at safety. He needs to refine his backpedal, zone spacing and eye discipline in deep halves, and play his technique in man coverage against slot receivers and tight ends.
• Height/length at the catch point: at roughly 5-11, he has to win with timing, positioning and hand usage rather than reach against bigger SEC receivers and tight ends.
• Positional identity: with his hybrid RB/ATH background, Georgia will need to settle on one spot (STAR, money or boundary safety) so he can master the checks and communication in Glenn Schumann and Kirby Smart's pattern-match system.

College Projection

Year 1 (2026): special-teams contributor on coverage and return units while learning Georgia's secondary checks behind a deep, blue-chip DB room. Georgia signed seven-plus defensive backs in this class, so early defensive snaps are unlikely. Years 2-3: best path is the STAR/nickel or money-safety role, where his physicality and tackling in space matter more than length. A realistic target is a rotational starter by year 3, with a potential multi-year starter ceiling if his coverage technique develops. Moving to running back is a fallback if the secondary depth chart stalls.

NFL Outlook

Ivins' 247Sports projection is a Day 3 (rounds 4-7) prospect. His NFL path is as a box/nickel safety and core special-teamer, a profile the league values when the tackling and special-teams resume are strong. Moving into Day 2 would require starting-level production at Georgia, verified long speed, and proof he can hold up in man coverage against slot receivers and tight ends despite a sub-6-0 frame.

Best Fit

A multiple, pattern-match defense that uses a hybrid nickel/STAR or rotated-down safety, as Georgia does. His instincts, tackling and blitz/run-fit value get used near the ball there instead of isolating him in deep-middle coverage. Programs with heavy disguise and split-safety rotation, plus a real special-teams emphasis, fit him best.