A College Star Redefines His Game

Garrett Greene isn't following the playbook. The former West Virginia University quarterback, known for turning broken plays into highlight reels, just signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent – but not as a QB. At 5'10" and 193 pounds, Greene's betting on his athleticism to reinvent himself as a receiver, bypassing traditional quarterback routes in his NFL pursuit.

By the Numbers: Greene's WVU Legacy

Over five seasons in Morgantown, Greene racked up:

• 5,370 passing yards (36 TDs)
• 2,136 rushing yards (28 TDs)
• 12 career fourth-quarter comebacks

His 2023 breakout season featured 751 rushing yards – including a 154-yard demolition of Cincinnati – proving he could change games without his arm. While his 53.1% completion rate showed passing limitations, coaches praised his "clutch DNA." WVU's Neal Brown often deployed Greene in wildcat formations, foreshadowing his NFL transition.

Why Receiver? The NFL Reality Check

Greene's 2025 Combine numbers told the story:

• 4.50-second 40-yard dash
• 36.5-inch vertical jump
• 6.85-second 3-cone drill (top 15% for WRs)

These metrics, combined with NFL teams' historical reluctance to draft sub-6-foot QBs, made position-switching inevitable. Tampa Bay's staff – including former WVU coach Blaine Stewart – saw potential where others saw limitations. "His QB background gives him defensive recognition skills most rookies lack," Stewart noted during OTAs.

How Greene Fits Tampa's Puzzle

The Bucs aren't asking Greene to replace Mike Evans or Chris Godwin. Instead, they're crafting a Swiss Army knife role:

• Jet sweep specialist
• Wildcat package operator
• Red-zone mismatch creator

This approach follows recent NFL trends. Baltimore's Malik Cunningham (former Louisville QB) successfully transitioned to receiver in 2024, logging 418 scrimmage yards as a rookie. Greene's studying Cunningham's film religiously, telling reporters: "Seeing guys make that switch gives me confidence it's not just possible – it's smart football."

The Road Ahead

Undrafted free agents face brutal odds – only 11% make opening day rosters. But Greene's work ethic stands out. He's added 8 pounds of muscle since April while maintaining 4.5-speed, and spends nights dissecting All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp's route techniques.

As training camp heats up, Greene remains pragmatic: "I'm not here to prove anyone wrong – just to help us win." Whether returning kicks, taking direct snaps, or stretching secondaries, this Mountaineer-turned-Buccaneer embodies modern football's positionless future. One thing's certain: dismissing Greene because of his height or draft status would repeat the mistake countless college defenses made.