HSSR’s Top Rated 2026 Football Prospect, Timberland’s Desmond Green Chooses Florida As His College Choice From 21 Major Offers That He Had

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

St. Stephen - After attending a summer football camp at Georgia, after his freshman season at Timberland High, offensive lineman Desmond Green (6-5,335) found out what an impression he had made on Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart, when Smart walked into Green’s rural high school, in mid-January, skipping going through the main office, as he walked into the coach’s office in the very back of the school.

After being praised by newly appointed athletic director Mike Wilkerson, Coach Wright and his offensive line coach Barry Avant, among others, at his announcement ceremony on June. 26, Green announced his decision to attend the University of Florida as his teammates, family members, coaches, and friends in attendance supported his decision with loud cheers. 

“Coach Smart didn’t even go to the main office,” recalled Green’s high school basketball coach Jerome Stewart, at Green’s announcement ceremony held in the school gym at Timberland. “He came in the side-door to the gym, in the back of the school, and met with head football coach Greg Wright, and he extended an offer to Desmond before he left that day, telling Coach Wright how impressed he was after seeing Green in action at the Bulldog’s camp.”

Green certainly embraced the recruiting process after Smart left that day mid-way through his sophomore year of high school. A few days later, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney paid his respects, and then the flood gates of colleges coming by to recruit Green opened up big time. This past basketball season South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer came to one of Desmond’s basketball games, and assistant coaches from numerous major colleges also came to basketball games at various times to recruit Green.

At his announcement ceremony, Green told the HSSR, in the end, he chose Florida from a final- five list that also included South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, and Georgia. 

Green estimates he went to camps, or visited games at 11 major colleges during the recruiting process. During the recruiting process, he became the most offered 2026 prep player in South Carolina with 21 verified major college offers. It is for this fact the HSSR has had him the number one rated 2026 player in South Carolina.

Green, a straight A student, shared just why he chose Florida. “I just fell in love with everything down there in Gainesville,” said Green. “Their tradition, culture and the environment along with the people at Florida impressed me very much. I just fell in love with everything I experienced on my visits to Florida.

“I wanted to make a decision now, so I can focus on helping my high school team have a successful season my senior year,” said Green. “I also want to focus on my academics as well.”

Green said he is still developing as a player and realizes he still has work to do to reach his ultimate goal of one day playing in the NFL. Green will major in Business once he gets to college.

Green said he has two main goals once he gets to Florida after high school. “I want to get a good education and I hope to play early and contribute to the success of the team,” he said. “Then with those two goals accomplished I hope to make it to the NFL.”

Coach Wright shared some comments on why he thinks Green is a special football player. “He is a phenomenal kid, and he embodies everything you want in a student athlete,” said Coach Wright. “He is all about leadership, hard-work and determination. He is super smart in the class room and on the field.

“He is a film junkie and that is what any coach wants in a player,” said Coach Wright. “From my time playing at a high level I can tell you that he embodies everything it takes to be successful at the highest level of football.

“Desmond is always finding ways to get better,” said Coach Wright. “He is a polished young man with a great work ethic. I am thankful we have him for one more season.”