[GoRU]

Houston Community Newspapers Online - Attracting Attention

The severe weather forecast for tonight may force Conroe High head football coach Roger Holtkamp to cancel the Tigers’ annual spring game, but that won’t affect the interest college recruiters have in Lou Greenwood.

The 2008 high school season is more than three months away and already a handful of Division I programs have offered scholarships to the 5-foot-11, 176-pound running back. Iowa State of the Big 12, Syracuse from the Big East and Houston and Texas-El Paso of Conference USA are among the schools seeking to add Greenwood to their respective rosters.

Air Force, Arkansas, George Tech, Arizona and Nebraska also are said to have at least a passing interest in the versatile athlete. Regardless of where he winds up once his high school career is over, Greenwood has triggered an increase in traffic through Holtkamp’s office.

“I’ve had a number of Division I signees during my 12 years as head coach, but that was after the season,” Holtkamp said. “Lou has attracted more attention this early than anyone I’ve ever had. We’ve had at least 25 schools stop by during spring workouts.”

An impressive combination of speed (4.4 seconds in the 40) and agility are factors for Greenwood’s popularity, according to Matt Malatesta, of Rivals.com, a national football recruiting service.

“What people like is his versatility,” Malatesta said. “He can run hard between the tackles, but when he gets in the open field on a pitchout, he can make people miss.

“He’s a real lateral runner, who has what we call ‘loose hips.’ But his real selling point is that he can catch the football,” he said. “At the Division I level that equates to a third-down back. It’s a position college coaches covet.”

Greenwood was a member of Conroe High’s 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams that qualified for the Region II-5A track meet.

“He runs a pretty good 40 time, but he’s not a combine type of guy. He makes his best impression when he’s got a football in his hands,” Malatesta said.

Although a bruised knee limited Greenwood’s participation in the better part of three games last season, he played a critical role in the Tigers’ 8-3 playoff season. He averaged 7.24 yards on 99 carries during the regular season, and led District 15-5A in rushing touchdowns (12).

“Lou is a hard-working kid, who’s very likable and a pleasure to be around,” Holtkamp said. “He doesn’t have an ego and he’s humble. He continues to work hard and he’s always willing to do what needs to be done.”

Holtkamp makes no secret that he plans to use Greenwood in a variety of roles, including that as a cornerback on defense.

“We’ll put him in a one-receiver set and make people respect him or we’ll throw him the ball,” the Tigers coach said.

Despite the schools interested in Greenwood, Tennessee is his first choice. Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech are also on his list.

“I like their offense (at Tennessee),” he said. “It’s kind of how we play here. They use running backs for everything.

“It’s still early. I’ve still got a lot of proving to do.”

Greenwood, whose father Lou Sr. played on the Tiger varsity as a freshman in the late 1970s, was surprised by the volume of interest he’s received from recruiters. He said he averages “four to five” letters a day from the various schools.

“I didn’t expect it,” said Greenwood, adding that he refuses to let the recruiting process alter his relationship with his teammates, his coaches and his friends. He credits his coaches at Conroe High and his father with helping him remain focused.

“It’s not hard because of how I was brought up,” Greenwood said. “I realize I need my teammates as much as they need me. We’re all in this together. We’re like a family.”

Lou Greenwood Sr. has stressed to his son the importance of a college education.

“I really think he should wait until after the season and don’t be in a rush to make a decision,” the elder Greenwood said. “I know it’s tough growing up these days. There’s a lot of peer pressure where one bad choice can cost him his whole dream.

“I’m proud of how he’s maintained to stay on the straight path. I just want him to stay focused,” he said.