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Many football fans around Mississippi are unaware of the name Marcus Green. While guys like Rod Taylor, CJ Hampton and Markell Pack have stolen the headlines to this point in the 2014 recruiting cycle, Green, stowed away in Ecru, MS (North Pontotoc High School), has been working hard to mold himself into an SEC athlete.
On Saturday Green's hard work was noticed, as his talents were easy to spot. Marcus (5'10" 165 lbs) participated in Steve Robertson's annual Southern Select Combine and wowed everyone who watched by running three 40 yard dashes in the 4.4 range. Soon after that, he was getting open and making catches in 1-on-1s, lining up at the receiver position. While Green plays mostly cornerback for the Vikings of North Pontotoc, he participated Saturday at receiver and showed that he could very well end up at receiver on the next level.
"Most teams are telling me that I can come in make an impact as a slot receiver and kickoff returner. Ole Miss is really the only school that is telling me that they want me at cornerback," Green noted.
As to what position Green would prefer to play on the next level, he says he likes offense best. To do that, Green says that he will have to improve his stance and his footwork and going forward that is what he is working on the most. He feels that as a receiver, his quickness is what sets him apart. Green feels that with his quickness, he is more effective on the shorter, quicker routes than the long, deeper routes.
To this point in Green's recruitment, he hears form Louisiana Monroe, MSU, and Ole Miss the most. He attended the Ole Miss elite junior day in April and has plans to go back to Oxford for a camp this summer. In addition to Ole Miss, he also plans to camp at Mississippi State and Louisiana Monroe.
"Of course the two in-state schools(Mississippi State and Ole Miss), but other than that probably Louisiana Monroe," Green said in reference to which offers he would like to see come his way.
As for this Fall, the focus will be on helping North Pontotoc go further in the playoffs after they were eliminated in the first round last season.
"We are dropping down to 3A this season, so we should be able to compete and go a lot further this season," Green noted.
Footnote on Marcus Green
While the offers haven't come yet for Green, I expect once word of his performance this weekend circulates then they will begin to come. This summer, he will have more opportunities to impress at the camps he spoke of attending and I feel that sooner rather than later Green will have options aplenty for his college destination. Another appealing factor about Green is that he could end up on either side of the ball. Also, something that he pointed out to me is that with his speed, he could be a real asset on special teams at the next level. Folks, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the name Marcus Green.