Lincoln, NE (U-WIRE) -- In 31 years of coaching college football, Phil Elmassian has seen one, maybe two guys work harder than Tierre Green.

Whether it's defense, offense or special teams, Elmassian said Green has put in freakishly hard work.

"We're real pleased," Elmassian said. "The effort is just ridiculous. I've only had one or two other players that would give that kind of effort on the field. ... He never stops."

Green's hard work has paid off in a big way, as he is the starting right cornerback heading into Nebraska's opener against Maine on Saturday.

Green has had less than six months to learn the cornerback position after moving from I-back before spring practice.

"You really have to tip your hat to him," said Elmassian, NU's cornerback's coach. "He's got the talent, and he's got the work ethic and great focus."

Green won the starting job over highly touted recruit Zackary Bowman, who battled Green and No. 1 left cornerback Cortney Grixby for reps throughout fall camp.

Green, a sophomore from Omaha, will also be handling kickoff return duties along with I-back Brandon Jackson.

Green's said his quick rise to the top of the cornerback depth-chart hasn't been a surprise.

"Not totally," Green said. "But I didn't expect that the rise was going to be that fast. Thinking back at it, I never imagined I would be playing defense for Nebraska, but the opportunity came to me, and I'm just trying to make the best of it."

Green was a standout safety at Omaha Benson High School, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recruited him as an all-around athlete.

While sharing time with Jackson at second-string I-back in 2004, Green carried the ball 44 times for 284 yards. He also had 26 returns for 498 yards.

Elmassian said it was Green's constant effort that caught the eye of the defensive coaching staff.

"The other guys in there are giving good effort," Elmassian said. "But he is a high-motor guy. I can't say enough about him."

One goal has remained constant no matter what position he plays. That goal, Green said, is to be a starter.

"If you don't have a set goal, you're kind of just wandering," Green said. "I could have ended up the last person on the depth-chart if I didn't have a goal."

Green and Grixby were friends in high school, both growing up in Omaha.

Grixby said Green's development as a corner has been phenomenal.

"Tierre has adjusted very fast to the new position," Grixby said. "I just try to give him tips from my experiences last year."

Grixby is the only returning cornerback from 2004 on the depth chart heading into Saturday's game.

Green said his experience at I-back should help him adjust to playing the new position during live games.

"The atmosphere is not going to change at a different position," Green said. "I just feel like as long as I can keep my composure and treat it like a practice, obviously I'll be playing for bigger stakes, but I just have to keep that mentality like it's just another day."

As for Elmassian saying Green is one of the hardest workers he's ever coached, Green said: "His word is as good as anybody's. For him to say that speaks volumes. I just go out there and work hard. I don't necessarily think that I deserve such a comment. I think everybody should have the attitude that they should work as hard as they can."

(C) 2004 Daily Nebraskan via U-WIRE