Green-May’s High-Motor Breakout Needed To Get Stallions Back ON Track

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - April 22, 2026

By Steve Irvine

Izayah Green-May’s biggest play to date as a Birmingham Stallion doubles as a moment he would like to erase.

To be exact, erasing the final minute sack in the season opener against the Louisville Kings is not necessary. That was one of the biggest defensive plays of the year for the Stallions and should have officially put a close to what is the Stallions lone victory thus far. It’s what happened afterward that Green-May said was “probably one of the more embarrassing moments of my life.”

On the play, which began with 24 seconds on the clock and the Stallions holding a 15-13 lead, Green-May quickly got past the opposing offensive tackle and chased Louisville quarterback Jason Bean down for a six-yard loss.

“I genuinely thought it was a walk-off sack,” Green-May said while laughing and cringing at the memory at the same time. “For some reason, you know, a lot of players can attest to this, sometimes the play is shorter than it feels. You know what I mean? And it really did feel like I was chasing him for a good little minute. Then I watched it back. It was like, I took a couple strides, and I got to him, but there was still plenty of time on the clock to run another play. During the play, I just felt like a ton of time went by and I really thought it was a walk-off deal. That's why I went crazy how I did.”

Green-May’s celebration began in the backfield and, with some of his teammates by his side, extended to the goal line, which was about 35 yards away. What he didn’t realize was Louisville was hustling back to the line of scrimmage and probably would have gotten another snap off if Birmingham head coach AJ McCarron hadn’t called a timeout to keep from his defense playing shorthanded while also getting whistled for defensive offsides.

Fortunately for Green-May and the Stallions, they were able to end the game on the next play.

“I went up to Coach (McCarron) after the game, man,” Green-May said. “He saw me walking over to him and he was just laughing at me. And I was just like ‘Coach I swear I'm never going to do that again. I'm sorry.’ He was like ‘Dude, you're fine. Learn from it, right? See that you don’t do it again, but you’re good, man.’”

McCarron brought it up when asked about Green-May’s performance this season.

“He had a young player moment towards the end of the (first) game,” McCarron said. “And then he's celebrating and the celebration never stopped. I always joke with him whenever I see him. I put the crown on top of my head like he did. It makes him laugh every time. But he’s been awesome.”

Green-May definitely put that moment behind him and has been one of the most consistent defenders for the Stallions. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive end, who played collegiately at Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, has 11 tackles in four games, leads the team in sacks (3), tackles for loss (5) and quarterback hurries (9) and is tied for second with Amari Bledsoe in quarterback pressures with 11. Green-May is coming off a two-sack game against Orlando and just might be ready to chase the single season sack record for this version of the Stallions, which is seven sacks held by DeMarquis Gates (2022) and Carlos Davis (2024).

Just over a year ago, Green-May thought his playing days might be over. He spent the final part of the 2023 season in the USFL with the Pittsburgh Maulers and was part of the improbable run to the championship game where they lost to the Stallions. He spent the following year working as an assistant director of player personnel at Wisconsin. As it turned out, that was a headstart of what he would like to do once his playing days are over. At the time, he thought it was a start on his career.

Things changed when he got a call from the Memphis Showboats.

“I went into that season without really any knowledge (of the UFL),” Green-May said. “Like, prior to that season, I didn't really know if I was going to play again, you know. Once got the call, I got in as best shape I could and kind of just went out there and did the best I could.”

That included posting a stat line that included 22 tackles, two sacks and a tackle for loss.

“Leaving that season last year, you know, I kind of felt okay about what I had put on tape,” Green-May said. “But then again, in this league, there's kind of just that uncertainty. Everyone in this league is kind of just teetering on, ‘This might be the last year for me.’ But I left that season thinking that if I did get another chance I would never go into a season as unprepared as I just was.”

He went back to work at Wisconsin, not sure if he would get a call. He also worked out and stayed prepared in case the phone did ring. He stacked day-after-day of training.  It showed once he was drafted by the Stallions and came to training camp.

“I mean, honestly, whenever you get next to these guys in training camp, it's really on you,” Green-May said. “You can tell who was working really hard this offseason. You can see what a guy was doing before they get into camp. Camp is where you kind of show how hard you've been working. I don't know if camp is a time to try to get into shape. With the limited time that we have, you have to come in good shape so that it shows up on film.”

Obviously, it showed up on film during camp and also in the early part of the regular season. And it will show up again on Friday night when the Stallions (1-3) try to get back on track against the D.C. Defenders at Protective Stadium.

“He plays with such a high motor,” McCarron said. “He's literally one of the best dudes that you could ever have in that room and on the team. I mean, he brings high energy each and every day. Like, he is a pro in every way. I think he's a hell of a player. It's been awesome to watch him go out and play.”

His role expands now with the trade earlier this week that sent Bledsoe and quarterback Matt Corral to the Orlando Storm for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Much of the talk has come about the quarterback portion of the trade but losing Bledsoe means other have to step up on the defensive front.

“I mean, yeah, you know, the standard in our room is the standard,” Green-May said. “We have a very high standard in our D-line room, without a doubt. I don't think it's changed. It’s not, ‘Oh, come on, guys we got to go a little harder now or anything like that.’ You know, our standard is just always high in that room and we hold ourselves to that every day.”