Michigan football CB Gemon Green declares for 2023 NFL Draft

Michigan Wolverines football graduate cornerback Gemon Green has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced. Green has one year of eligibility remaining but will forgo it to take his shot at the pros.

Green made the news official with a post on his Instagram page.

“The years here have been filled with memories I will remember for the rest of my life,” Green posted.

“I want to start off by thanking God for giving me the ability and opportunity to play the game I love. I also want to thank my family, friends, teammates, high school coaches and Michigan fans for all of the support through my good and bad times. That means a lot. I want to thank [Michigan head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh for believing in me and giving me a chance to be a Michigan man in the classroom and on the field.

“To the academic staff, thank you for helping me and assisting in achieving my greatest achievement yet: getting my college degree.

“Finally, to my teammates, I will never forget all the hard work we put into this game. We were able to accomplish some huge goals. My time here has come to an end and it’s time to start the next chapter of my life, and with that being said I am pursuing my childhood dream of playing in the NFL.

“Michigan for life! #GOBLUE”

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Green made 20 tackles and 4 pass breakups in 13 games this season. The 6-2, 186-pounder was targeted 45 times in coverage, allowing 24 receptions for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns, according to PFF.

“I’ve been trying to work on my technique every day,” Green told TheWolverine.com before the Fiesta Bowl. “I still got a lot to improve on, for real. This year hasn’t been going as good as I’ve wanted it to go, but it’s been better than my previous years.”

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His top factors in his decision were if he feels confident enough to play in the league and if he left a proper legacy at Michigan, he said. It appears he feels comfortable with where things stand on both fronts.

All told during his career, Green played in 42 games, totaling 71 tackles, an interception and 15 pass breakups.

Green was hit over the head with a helmet by an MSU player in the tunnel following the Wolverines’ 29-7 win over the Spartans, forcing him to miss the next contest at Rutgers. That incident was a bump in the road for Green, but he still had his most productive season in a winged helmet.

Green’s twin brother, German, is also on the Michigan team and plays cornerback and special teams. German Green made 5 tackles this season, primarily serving as a special teamer. He played on a torn ACL in 2022, he said, will get surgery this month and come back for his sixth season in Ann Arbor.

The Draft Network breaks down Michigan CB Gemon Green

Here’s Green’s scouting report, courtesy of The Draft Network.

“Pros: Gemon Green’s toughness and willingness to run fit stood out initially,” the site’s Damian Parson wrote. “He is a cornerback that is not afraid of getting into the action and fills the alley with confidence.

“In the Wolverines’ versatile defensive system, Green is fluid with different coverage responsibilities—he alternates between man, Cover 3, and Cover 6. His speed is sufficient to stay in phase and run with certain wide receivers. I like his man coverage ability to match up against bigger, possession receivers. His physicality and length allow him to cap routes quickly when he is engaged in press.

“Green communicates well with his teammates post-snap, passing off routes to get to his designated landmarks. In off-coverage, he either drops by backpedaling or using a half-turn side-saddle technique. He projects best as a Cover 3 cornerback. 

“Cons: Gemon Green’s run defense can improve, as he tends to get stuck on blocks. As a taller cornerback, he is not the most fluid mover. His transitions from press alignment without jamming and capping routes are segmented. I

“I noticed some high tightness leading to him prematurely opening the gate. He will throw a punch with the incorrect hand based on the receiver’s release, forcing his hip to lock. Green has minimal ball production with only one interception and seven passes defensed in four seasons. His hips and feet are susceptible to quick-moving, twitchy receivers. He does not possess the speed to carry explosive receivers vertically without safety help.”