When Robert Robinson made trips to the Senior Bowl in Mobile with Boys and Girls Club of Pensacola, Fla. — his son Ladarius Green one of those kids making the trip — he always dreamed of one day watching his own kid out there on that field at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

But that has been the case this week, and will be the case today when the former Washington High standout takes part in the Senior Bowl in Mobile. The game will be televised live on NFL Network beginning at 3 p.m.

"It was always hopefully when we were playing that Pop Warner football, but to be able to come out here and watch him as he has grown up from a little boy to a man is a very humbling experience," said Robinson, who was able to watch Green in practice this week at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. "It’s a good experience we’re sharing. We used to come out here with the Boys and Girls Club about 10 years ago, and now you’re playing on the same field you grew up watching other guys playing on. It’s just a very exciting and humbling experience."

Green’s selection to the South squad is a culmination of a stellar career with the UL Ragin’ Cajuns, where the 6-6, 237-pound tight end was a two-time John Mackey Award semifinalist. In four seasons at UL, Green caught 149 passes for 2,201 yards and 22 touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career receptions, fifth in career receiving yards and second in career receiving touchdowns in school history.

"I’m excited about the opportunity," Green said. "I’m just very blessed to have this chance."

Making his mark

As much fun as it sounds to have the opportunity to play in the Senior Bowl, it’s still very much a business trip for the players involved.

It’s a week-long process of practice, interviews and tests. Going into today’s game, Green has certainly made the most of it.

"I’ve been happy, but I still have to prove myself," Green said. "I try to keep my intensity. I have passion for the game. I love the game and I think coaches love that."

Possibly the biggest battle Green has had to fight this week is the perception that he comes from what many deem to be a small school in the Sun Belt Conference.

"I just tell them you draft players, you don’t draft schools," Green said. "I try not to pay attention to any of that.

"You play the bigger schools (at UL), but they don’t think of it that way because you don’t play them continuously. So you still have to come out here and work every day to prove yourself against them."

Small school or not, most of the NFL scouts have fallen in love with Green’s athleticism this past week. NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis was one of those who was attracted to Green.

"I liked what I saw (Tuesday)," Davis said. "We had three different shots of him in one-on-one drills where he ran good routes, caught the football and looked the part. I like what I’m seeing. I’m enjoying seeing this new breed of tight end come in."

Green fits new mold

Ten years ago, Green would not have been a prototypical tight end in the NFL. Back then, the tight ends were basically an extension of the offensive line with an ability to catch the ball. These days, guys like New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, New England’s Steve Gronkowski and San Francisco’s Vernon Davis have given spread offenses an ability to stretch the field vertically with big, athletic targets.

"It’s funny because it’s the same story every year," Davis said. "I look at the bio and it says the same thing every year ‘Former wide receiver turned tight end.’ And that’s what we have because of the way the game has gone, especially all the way down to the younger guys. The spread stuff takes the tight end out of the game a lot of plays. So in order to play, you have to be more of a wide receiver, big slot, more of that nature.

"And the college game is losing the tight end even more. So what’s happening is we’re seeing these tight ends that are coming in are actually good receivers. They’ll block, but their primary thing is catch the football. That’s what we have in Green."

Green feels like he fits that new mold of tight end, and believes that transformation in the position is coming at the perfect time.

"I think it definitely does benefit my style," Green said. "That’s kind of what I’ve been my career. I try to pattern my game after those guys.

"I just think it gives me a shot to make it."

Still developing

Having a shot and earning a spot, though, are two different things.

Because of that, Green said his focus since the season ended has been gaining weight and becoming more physical. He’s up to 237 pounds, but feels like he needs to add a few more pounds. He’s been working out at Bommarito Performance Systems in Aventura.

"I weighed in where I wanted to this week," Green said. "I still need to put on a few pounds and get a little bigger.

"The main thing I’ve been working on is my footwork and blocking. I feel like I’m doing OK, but I feel like I could always do better."

NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock said Green’s got the tools to become an NFL tight end, as long as his blocking continues to develop.

"Like most of today’s tight ends, he is a former wide receiver who is trying to get bigger and stronger," Mayock said. "He’s got some length to him. He’s got some athleticism to him. And like most of these guys, he’s got to learn how to block."

Mayock ranks Green as the fourth-best tight end prospect in the draft and has him projected as a third or fourth round pick in April’s draft.

"He’s continued to mature physically," UL coach Mark Hudspeth said. "He’s starting to fill out and get stronger. I think that’s going to enable him to be a weapon in the National Football League. Because right now, the tight end position is such a hot position. He has all the tools. I think he’s going to have a great opportunity to do well.

"He’s a big target that you can match up against linebackers. He can really win those matchups. He’s got great size. He’s got great hands. And the thing about him is that he’s an outstanding man with great character and he’ll be a huge asset to the locker room of any football team."