Signing day surprise

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Of the 19 kids who signed with Illinois on Wednesday, the biggest head turner was Justin Green.

Ultimately, the decision came down to which side of the ball he was going to line up on.

Ohio State wanted Green to play cornerback. And he is good at, ranked among the nation’s best at the position.

But Illinois has been recruiting the Louisville (Ky.) Male star as a running back. And that’s a big reason Green signed with the Illini today.

“I want to play on offense,” Green said.

In high school, Green was coached at both positions by his father, Jelly Green. Dad didn’t push the son during recruiting.

“It was (Justin’s) choice,” Jelly Green said. “He was committed to Ohio State but he thought he had a better fit at Illinois. He wanted to be a running back. Illinois has been recruiting him as a running back all along.”

Justin’s older brother, Marcus, is a former Buckeye. But like Jelly Green, Marcus didn’t interfere with the process.

“He’s doing all right,” Justin Green said. “He told me to do whatever I felt is best for me.”

Green has a full winter and spring before he moves to Illinois in June. He won the 100, 200 and 400 at last year’s Kentucky state track meet, helping Male to the team title.

Green said he will consider considering his track career at Illinois. He said the Illinois coaches are open to it.

“They told me it’s up to me,” Green said.

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