When it came to forcing turnovers, YSU defensive back LeVar Greene was one of the best.
For his career, Greene had 25 pass breakups, 14 interceptions and four fumble recoveries to go along with 158 total tackles, including 103 solo stops. He helped the Penguins make two postseason appearances (1999 and 2000) and played in 47 games, starting 39 contests.
As a senior in 2001, Greene had one of the best seasons by a cornerback in school history. He was a first-team All-America selection by The Sports Network, the Walter Camp Foundation and the Football Gazette while being a second-team pick by The Associated Press.
Greene, a first-team all-conference pick, ranked fifth in the nation in interceptions and pass breakups. He led the conference with 15 pass breakups, which tied a school record, and had a conference-best seven interceptions. He had a team-best three fumble recoveries during the year.
In nine of 11 games he had at least one pass breakup with a high of four against Missouri State. He had two interceptions against Western Illinois, one he returned 23 yards for a touchdown. He also blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown against Western Kentucky.
He had a season-best five tackles against Lock Haven, Indiana State and Illinois State. Besides his two interceptions against WIU, he had picks against Clarion, UNI, Missouri State, Southern Illinois and Elon.
In 2000, Greene was a shut-down corner who opposing quarterbacks tried to avoid. He had 21 total tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions during the campaign. He had interceptions against Edinboro, Illinois State and Western Illinois.
As a sophomore in 1999, he had 68 total tackles, including 47 solo stops in 15 starts at cornerback as the Penguins advanced to the National Championship Game against Georgia Southern in Chattanooga, Tenn.
He had two interceptions against Indiana (Pa.); and one against Cal Poly and Montana. Greene was credited with a season-high nine tackles in the playoff win at Montana. He was credited with seven solo stops in the game. He also had eight stops against Missouri State and Indiana State. With his four interceptions, he broke up six other passes on the campaign for 10 pass breakups.
As a freshman in 1998 he played in all 11 games and started twice. For the season he had 31 tackles, including 17 solos. Greene had a season-high eight tackles at Illinois State in November. He also had four stops against Southern Illinois, New Haven and Central Florida.
Greene studied psychology at Youngstown State and earned his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University in multidisciplinary studies (criminal justice/psychology).
He is a business owner and a corporal in the Gwinnett County Police Department. Greene is the founder and owner of ProVerb Shield LLC, which are the makers of The Ultimate Workout Vest, “The Shield.”
A native of Miami Lakes, Fla., he graduated from American Senior High School. He was a second-team All-Florida selection and first-team All-Dade County pick as a defensive back.
LeVar and his wife, Kawai, have three children, Tyrell, Kiawah and LeVar Jr. The family resides in Covington, Ga.
