Wisconsin football 2020 returnee profile: Izayah Green-May

During the summer doldrums of sports news, many college football fans are starved for news and information regarding their favorite teams.

With that in mind, we at B5Q have decided to take a more detailed look at each walk-on contributor and scholarship player on the Wisconsin Badgers football roster for 2020 in a running feature, our 2020 returnee profiles.

Each weekday we will breakdown one player on the football roster to look back at their recruiting process, their career as a Badger to this juncture and lastly preview their potential contribution to the team in 2020 and beyond.

Today we look at outside linebacker at Izayah Green-May.

Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Name: Izayah Green-May

Position: outside linebacker

2020 eligibility: redshirt junior

Recruiting info out of HS: 247 Composite 3-star, 33 WDE, Bolingbrook, Ill.

2018 recruitment: Izayah Green-May’s recruitment started in 2015 when the then defensive end took an unofficial visit to Michigan State. After that Green-May received a host of offers from MAC schools like Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Bowling Green before getting his first Big Ten offer from Illinois, and then Minnesota shortly thereafter. Later on, in March of 2016, Green-May took unoffical visits to Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan State once again. He also picked up offers from each school during that time. Eventually it appeared to be down to Wisconsin and Michigan State. 247’s crystal ball said 100% for MSU, but Green-May had different ideas and committed to Wisconsin on April 23rd, 2016.

Career statistics: five total tackles, one sack

2019 statistics: five total tackles, one sack

Player overview: At 6-foot-6 Izayah Green-May has the length that you want to see out of an outside linebacker. He arrived at Wisconsin weighing only 198 pounds, but has since gotten up to 225 pounds to help fill out his frame. Last spring Green-May came into fall camp as the projected starter opposite of Zack Baun, but dropped behind Noah Burks fairly quickly. If Green-May can come in at the right weight, and keep his athleticism things could fall his way a bit more this season.

Best case scenario for 2020: In total, Green-May saw little of the field in 2019, but there is plenty of opportunity for 2020. Burks will likely fill one of the outside linebacker spots, but who gets the other position will be up for grabs with Green-May certainly in the mix. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and linebacker’s coach Bobby April clearly see the potential, now they just need to see it on the field. Green-May’s best case scenario is that he returns to UW with more weight on his frame to help him get on the field. From there, a starter spot is possible and his size and speed combo could be exactly what Wisconsin needs to try and replace Zack Baun.

Likely role on team in 2020: With Baun gone, an outside linebacker spot will certainly be up for grabs. Noah Burks will retain one spot, but who takes the second will be something to watch for in camp. The departure of Baun means a lot of pass rushing and sacks will need to be replaced. As it sits right now, I believe Green-May is the leader in the clubhouse, and with Christian Bell transferring there is one less player in the mix for that spot. Still though, I believe this second outside linebacker spot will be a contentious one. Jaylan Franklin, Spencer Lytle, and even early enrollee Nick Herbig will all take their shot to be a starter.

Knowing Jim Leonhard, he won’t care about age or status, he’ll put the best 11 on the field. Green-May appears he will have first crack, but he’ll certainly have competition nipping at his heals.