Nixa running back Ramone Green could have never guessed when he started his recruiting trail that a defensive coordinator would greatly impact his college choice.
Missouri State promoting defensive coordinator Ryan Beard to head coach last month led to Green commiting to the Bears earlier this month. He'll make it official on college football's signing day Wednesday.
"Coach Beard becoming the head coach was a big thing for me," Green said. "That changed a lot of things. He was the first (MSU) coach who recruited me. He was the defensive coordinator, but recruits this area."
Green compares Beard with Nixa coach John Perry.
"He keeps it real, which is something I'm used to with coach Perry," Green said. "Coach Beard is someone you can trust and talk to anytime you need to. Having a relationship with somebody already is a big part (of a college commitment). I'm excited to play for him."
Beard has helped MSU reel in more of SWMO's high-profile recruits than in recent years. Green is due to be part of a Bears recruiting class that will also include Reeds Spring defensive end Caden Wiest, Kickapoo defensive end Andrew Link, West Plains wide receiver Heston Miller and tight end Watson Hafer and Glendale quarterback Cole Feuerbacher.
Also, 2022 Glendale grad Cooper Roy, the state's record-holder for sacks, has transferred from a prep school to Missouri State.
Green feels good that he saw all was out there on the college recruiting front, having made the rounds most Saturdays this past fall.
"I had six or seven game-day visits and one official visit to Pitt State," he said. "I'm glad to be done with it now and focused for the next level."
Green also received offers from Pitt State, Missouri Southern, Missouri Western, Western Illinois, Fort Hays State (Kansas), William Penn (Iowa) and Harding (Arkansas).
He'll join former Nixa teammates Thomas Schulte, Steven Ward and Reid Potts at MSU. Potts transferred to MSU from Southeast Missouri State.
"Steven has been one of my good friends for a while," Green said. "Playing with him again will be super fun. He told me how it is there and what to expect. So, I have a good idea what will happen."
Green's senior season statistics are highlighted by 241 carries for 2,223 yards and 32 touchdowns over 12 games.
He bettered 2015 Nixa grad Alec Murphy's numbers, but didn't quite draw the same recruiting scope. Murphy went on to play for Mississippi State and also had offers from Iowa, Illinois, Iowa State and Kansas State.
Green drew motivation and carried a proverbial chip on his shoulders throughout his prep career from being told he was too small. A 155-pounder as a sophomore, he's now 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds.
Murphy was 6-1 and 215 pounds as high school senior. He had a career-high 1,973 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns his junior season and 867 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns his senior season.
Green will also be spurred on at MSU by skeptics.
"I feel like I've always been doubted," he said. "Hopefully, I can prove to people I can play at the (NCAA) Division I (FCS) level. I'm excited to see what the future holds for me."
