Jaden Greathouse Focused on Playing Fast in Year Two

Jaden Greathouse started his freshman campaign with a bang. 

The Texas native scored twice against Navy in the season opener and tallied 12 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the first five games of 2023. 

Then a nagging hamstring injury slowed him down as Greathouse missed the Duke game and then didn’t record a reception over the next four games. 

“It was definitely frustrating,” said Greathouse. “Injuries are a part of the game but it’s definitely something that we can manage and minimize and that’s why I’m taking care of my body so well. I feel really good. Having that experience was definitely frustrating for me, so just trying to do everything that I can to not put myself in that position again.” 

Greathouse finished the year strong with six catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns over the final three games to provide some positive momentum into the offseason. 

Over the last three months, Greathouse has put an emphasis on taking care of his body and that means preparing now so he can handle the fall workload. 

“That’s definitely a big emphasis in the weight room, being able to train our muscles strong enough so that they can absorb that impact and shock that we put on our bodies on a daily basis,” Greathouse explained. “It’s definitely been a big emphasis since the start of the winter and just making sure that everybody’s strong enough to be healthy out there on the field.”

The focus on injury prevention is led by new Director of Football Performance Loren Landow, who has implemented some new concepts and ideas into The Gug. 

Greathouse and several other players have mentioned the change under Landow has been noticeable.  

“Our workout schedule has definitely changed since last year,” Greathouse stated. “Definitely in the winter when we were doing our strength and conditioning and I definitely think that’s been part of the reason for why I’m showing the development that I am now.” 

As for his work on the field, Greathouse, who has always been a better athlete than given credit for (just watch his State Championship games at Westlake), dialed in on improving his quickness, but also playing faster in year two. 

“I think a lot of our strength and conditioning has contributed to that,” Greathouse said. “ I’m not necessarily throwing the thinking of the game out the window, but I’m trying to think less and play faster. I think that’s been a mindset I’ve tried to have this spring and throughout this year and being able to play fast to dominate the way I want to.” 

Last spring, Greathouse showed he could be a weapon in the slot and had success inside during the fall. 

Injuries not only limited Greathouse, but also forced him out of the slot to the outside, which was probably a move a year too early. 

There is no question he can be productive on the outside, but the information overload, playing on a bad hamstring and figuring out college football is a lot for a freshman. That said, this spring, Greathouse is working in the slot and outside as he looks to expand his game and role.

“I love playing inside,” explained Greathouse. “I love playing outside. I’m really just focused on being that guy who can do whatever they need me to do to help the team win. I think being able to play multiple positions is extremely valuable. I’m trying to be receptive to whatever they’re teaching me and help the team as much as I can, whether that’s playing slot or outside or playing to the field.” 

Brown has quickly seen the advantages Greathouse can give the offense in the slot from an athletic standpoint, yet it’s the maturity of understanding how to get open that has allowed him to thrive inside. 

“He's a bigger body playing in the slot, which is a little bit different,” stated Brown. “Most of the slots are smaller guys. But he still has the quickness. He understands how to set defenders up and how to move you guys. He understands zone coverages and spaces and zones and knows where to sit. And so he's got a really, really good feel. Natural feel.

“Then his catch radius is really good. He's made some really tough, contested catches here in camp. Even if you're there, you put the ball in his vicinity he's done a really good job of coming down with it. We'll have to figure out different ways to use him and move him around.” 

Notre Dame’s receiving corps as a whole has embraced Brown’s emphasis on playing fast, which has allowed them to start making more plays this spring. 

“We definitely can get caught up in thinking too much sometimes and that kind of forces us to slow down our play,” said Greathouse. “But as long as we’re playing fast, all the other things will come because we know what we’re trying to do. So, as long as we’re playing fast everything will come, the technique will be good, and we’ll be able to dominate.” 

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