JMU’s Jalen Green led the FBS in sacks in 2023 despite missing the final four games of the Dukes’ season due to injury. Green, a prolific edge rusher, tallied 15.5 sacks in just nine games for the Dukes.
Green came into the season as a potential rising star for JMU, but nobody expected his absurd level of 2023 production. He entered the year with just 4.5 career sacks. The senior took a massive leap forward in 2023, largely due to increased playing time with defensive end Isaac Ukwu transferring to Ole Miss.
Now, Green finds himself as a possible 2024 NFL Draft pick.
Injury Question
Given Green’s bend around the edge and array of pass-rushing moves, he would’ve been a likely lock to be selected in the draft if he finished the 2023 season healthy. Instead, he suffered a season-ending leg injury in November, which has caused him to miss several pre-draft events to focus on rehab.
Green would’ve been a possible pick for the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine Bowl had he stayed healthy. The timing of the injury is brutal for Green, who was poised to boost his draft stock this spring. He does, however, expect to be healthy for NFL training camp.
The injury situation could give some NFL teams pause, and that’s the main reason he might fall to the latest rounds of the draft or out of the draft altogether. If, however, NFL teams feel confident about his recovery timeline, Green becomes a possible late-round gem in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Pass Rushing Star
Green tallied five sacks in one game this season, demolishing Marshall’s offensive tackles in an October matchup on national TV. The game should impress NFL scouts, as the Thundering Herd had no answers for the Dukes’ dominant edge rusher. Green loves to use his speed to dip around tackles and reach the opposing quarterback, but that’s hardly his only move.
The pass rusher also brings out a spin move that leaves offensive linemen stunned and well out of position. He used the move exceptionally well to record one of his highlight-worthy sacks against Troy, a game the Dukes won 16-14 in a defensive slugfest.
While he’s listed at just 6’1” and 245 lbs, Green has plenty of power for a player with third-down pass-rushing upside. He’s capable of hanging in there against the run, and he can overpower offensive tackles in pass-rushing situations. His quickness and bend are arguably his best traits, but he doesn’t lack power. He uses his hands well to put offensive linemen on the defensive.
The power is often on display against linemen, but it’s particularly evident when he reaches a running back or quarterback. Green doesn’t struggle to finish sacks, often squaring up quarterbacks and quickly bringing them to the ground. He led JMU in sacks in part because he made the most of his one-on-one matchups with Sun Belt quarterbacks.
Coupled with a relentless motor, Green has plenty of traits that should impress NFL teams. If Green can show teams that he’s on his way to 100% health, he’s shown enough on the field to warrant a selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
