Few players in LSU history created instant excitement like Skyler Green.
Whenever a punt sailed toward No. 5, Tiger Stadium came alive. Green had the speed, vision and quickness to turn one missed tackle into a touchdown. He was also far more than a return specialist. He caught passes, carried the football and delivered crucial plays during LSU’s 2003 national championship season.
Green completed his LSU career with 3,243 all purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns. He scored nine touchdowns as a receiver, four on punt returns and one as a runner. His combination of explosiveness, versatility and championship production earns him the No. 83 spot among the greatest LSU Tigers of all time.
From the West Bank to LSU
Skyler Levon Green was born in Houma, Louisiana, and attended L.W. Higgins High School after growing up in the Westwego area.
Green played quarterback at Higgins and established himself as one of Louisiana’s most dangerous high school athletes. As a senior, he rushed for 2,174 yards on 194 carries. He earned first team All State honors while being named his district’s Most Valuable Player and the All New Orleans Metro MVP.
During a Class 5A playoff loss to Catholic High School, Green rushed for 224 yards and passed for another 124. LSU recognized that his athletic ability could be used in several ways and brought him to Baton Rouge.
Green eventually found his home at wide receiver and in the return game.
An Immediate Impact as a Freshman
Green played in seven games as a true freshman in 2002.
His opportunity increased late in the season after Devery Henderson suffered a broken arm against Ole Miss. Green made the first reception of his college career in that game, helping LSU set up its winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
One week later, Green gave LSU fans a preview of what was coming. He caught three passes for 92 yards against Arkansas, including a 67 yard touchdown on a screen pass. He ended the season with three receptions for 24 yards against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Green finished his freshman season with seven catches for 123 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed three times for 28 yards.
Those were modest totals, but his speed was impossible to ignore.
A Championship Playmaker in 2003
Green exploded onto the national stage as a sophomore.
He played in all 14 games, started four and ranked third on the team with 48 receptions. Green produced 519 receiving yards and five touchdown catches while adding 90 yards and one touchdown on eight rushing attempts.
His most famous reception came against seventh ranked Georgia in Tiger Stadium.
With the score tied at 10 late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Matt Mauck found Green for a 34 yard touchdown. Green’s score gave LSU a 17–10 victory and provided one of the defining moments of the Tigers’ championship season.
LSU later defeated Georgia 34–13 in the SEC Championship Game to capture the program’s first conference title since 1988.
Green also delivered on the sport’s biggest stage. LSU faced Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game at the Sugar Bowl, and Green scored the Tigers’ first touchdown on a 24 yard run. LSU won 21–14, securing its first national championship since 1958.
Green was not simply a member of that championship team. He made game changing plays that helped LSU reach the top.
The Nation’s Most Dangerous Punt Returner
Green’s offensive production told only part of his 2003 story.
He returned 25 punts for 462 yards and two touchdowns. His average of 18.5 yards per punt return led the nation.
His first collegiate punt return became a 62 yard touchdown at Arizona. Later that season, he returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown against Florida in Gainesville.
Green earned first team All America recognition as a return specialist from Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com. Collegefootballnews.com selected him as a second team All American. He also received second team All SEC honors from the Associated Press and the SEC coaches.
Opponents knew Green could change a game with one return. Kicking the ball directly to him became a dangerous decision.
Battling Through an Injured Junior Season
Green suffered a high ankle sprain during preseason camp in 2004 and reinjured it in LSU’s season opener against Oregon State. The injury affected him for much of the year, but he continued to contribute.
He appeared in 10 games and made four starts. Green caught 24 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned 25 punts for 243 yards and one score, averaging 9.7 yards per return.
His third career punt return touchdown came on a 65 yard return against Vanderbilt.
Green finished the season with one of his best receiving performances. Against Iowa in the Capital One Bowl, he caught six passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns. His three yard touchdown reception from JaMarcus Russell gave LSU a 25–24 lead with 46 seconds remaining, although Iowa won 30–25 on a touchdown on the game’s final play.
Green earned honorable mention All SEC recognition from the Associated Press despite spending much of the season injured.
A Record Setting Senior Season
Green returned to full strength in 2005 and again became one of the nation’s leading special teams weapons.
He played in all 13 games and started four. Green caught 32 passes for 268 yards and rushed 16 times for 126 yards. He also returned 18 kickoffs for 355 yards.
As a punt returner, Green produced 359 yards and one touchdown on 27 returns. His average of 13.3 yards per return ranked third in the SEC.
His biggest moment came against Auburn. Green returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown in LSU’s 20–17 overtime victory. It was the fourth punt return touchdown of his career, giving him the LSU career record at the time.
SEC coaches named Green the 2005 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. He also earned first team All America honors from Rivals.com and third team All America recognition from the Associated Press. The coaches named him first team All SEC as an all purpose player, while the Associated Press placed him on its second team.
LSU finished the season 11–2 and closed Green’s college career by crushing Miami 40–3 in the Peach Bowl. Green contributed 15 rushing yards and 46 punt return yards while lining up at receiver, returner and quarterback.
Green’s LSU Career
Green played in 44 games and made 12 starts during his four seasons at LSU.
His final career totals included:
- 111 receptions
- 1,129 receiving yards
- Nine receiving touchdowns
- 31 rushing attempts
- 258 rushing yards
- One rushing touchdown
- 77 punt returns
- 1,064 punt return yards
- Four punt return touchdowns
- 38 kickoff returns
- 792 kickoff return yards
- 3,243 all purpose yards
- 14 total touchdowns
Green completed his LSU career as the school record holder with four punt return touchdowns. His 1,064 punt return yards ranked second in program history at the time, only 63 yards behind Domanick Davis’ total of 1,126.
Professional Football Career
The Dallas Cowboys selected Green in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 125th overall pick.
Green appeared in NFL regular season games for Dallas, the Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints. He played in 11 NFL games and recorded three receptions for 33 yards. He also returned 14 punts for 64 yards and seven kickoffs for 192 yards.
His professional career continued with Edmonton of the Canadian Football League and the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League.
Green has remained connected to Louisiana football through interviews and media appearances in which he has discussed his West Bank roots, LSU career and journey into professional football.
Why Skyler Green Is No. 83
Green’s greatness cannot be measured by one position.
He was a productive receiver, a dangerous runner and one of the most explosive punt returners LSU has ever fielded. He earned All America recognition in two different seasons and was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Most importantly, Green delivered when championships were on the line.
He caught the winning touchdown against Georgia, helped LSU capture the SEC championship and scored the Tigers’ first touchdown in the national championship victory over Oklahoma. Those are permanent pieces of LSU football history.
Skyler Green could change a game in seconds, and his biggest plays helped change the direction of the entire LSU football program.
That is why No. 5 holds the No. 83 position among the Top 100 LSU Tigers of all time.
Sources
- LSU Athletics, “Skyler Green,” official LSU football biography and career statistics.
https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/skyler-green/ - Pro Football Archives, “Skyler Green,” draft information, professional teams and career statistics.
https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/g/gree06070.html - National Football League, “Skyler Green Prospect Profile.”
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/skyler-green/32004752-4536-0361-e223-5c2f396414b7 - Pro Football Reference, “Skyler Green NFL Statistics.”
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeSk20.htm
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