Opportunity Awaits: Greene Looks for Consistency & Sustained Excellence

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- With injuries in back-to-back games against NC State and Virginia Tech to Wake Forest starting wide receivers Scotty Washington and Sage Surratt, Coach Dave Clawson looked to freshman Donavon Greene with four games remaining in the season.

"It was my time to step up," Greene said about his mentality. "Those four games I learned what it takes to be a receiver here."

Greene had a breakout performance at Syracuse in the last week of the regular season when he totaled seven catches for 172 yards and a touchdown.

"The game slowed down as the season progressed," Greene said.

Greene, who finished 2019 with 13 grabs for 249 yards and two scores, is looking to capitalize on his strong finish as 2020 spring camp gets going in earnest.

"I can definitely use it to build," he said.

With Sage Surratt still nursing an injury, Greene was working with the first-string offense in the few practices of spring camp.

"The first few days were a little rough, but I got over the hump," Greene said. "Maybe I wasn't as focused as I needed to be. (Wide receiver) Coach (Kevin Higgins) talked to me about it. I got over the hump, stayed focused and had a good spring."

Greene earned the 'Hands Champion' award prior to spring game, by being the receiver with the most grabs without a drop.

"He started out slow," Clawson said. "His first two practices weren't great, then the last two were a lot better. He was upset about it, but he responded. He made some plays in the last four games of the season, but he's still a redshirt freshman. To do it, and play at a high level for 12-13 games is different than making a few plays in two games."

Clawson speaks often about players flashing — putting together a few solid plays or sometimes even a handful of good practices. But in the long run, it's consistency and reliability that turns a player from one who just flashes into one who becomes a full-time contributor.

"He certainly can be an outstanding player," Clawson said. "He got to play a little bit last year and had flashes of brilliance. But to go out here every day and try to be a starter — we have him and Atorian (A.T. Perry) running with the ones. We're obviously going to get Sage (Surratt) back and Nolan (Groulx) is doing some good things. To do it for three weeks is one thing, but to do it for a whole year is another. That's his challenge, and he's learning that. To do it everyday is not easy."

Wake Forest Athletics

Opportunity Awaits: Greene Looks for Consistency & Sustained Excellence

Related News

Players Mentioned

Donavon Greene

A.T. Perry

Sage Surratt

Scotty Washington

Related Videos