FC's Green signs with Northwest

Franklin County football standout JaMarlin Green announced on Wednesday, Feb. 2 that he was signing a letter of intent to join the gridiron program at Northwest Mississippi Community College this fall.

“I really fell in love with the Northwest program and enjoyed my time in getting to know the coaches there,” Green said of his choice to become a Ranger at the Senatobia-based postsecondary institution.

“I am also thankful to all the other coaches and programs that gave me an opportunity and spent time with me, but this was a choice that just felt right.”

Green went on to say he was impressed with what he had seen of Northwest’s academic offerings and felt like the athletic program was a good fit for his abilities on the football field.

“For me, it was about the whole school environment, and the best place for my new beginning is Northwest,” he added.

“It would be hard not to be excited for what the future holds and I want to work toward getting a shot to play at the Division I level and wherever that takes me.”

Green’s course of academic study will be in business administration and he said he might branch out into management information systems.

In terms of football, Green said he desires to get the chance to play at defensive safety for the Rangers.

“That’s my most natural position on the field,” he continued. “If I get an opportunity on the offensive side of the ball, I think I would like to work as a wide receiver – I feel like I am versatile and could play at inside or outside.”

In looking back at his time in high school, Green said he will certainly miss the bonds he has built among his classmates and with those he played with as part of the varsity Bulldogs football program.

“Playing football here at Franklin County has not always been easy,” he said. “There were times that things got difficult and there were lots of good times, too. The thing I am thankful for is that my time at this school helped me get to that next level and where I want to be.

“I thank everybody at the high school that played a part in helping me reach my goals … they welcomed me with open arms and will always have a place in my heart.”

Over the course of the past three years, FCHS Head Football Coach B.J. Smithhart characterized Green as a student-athlete who worked to step up his play and be an integral part of the Bulldogs’ program in whatever capacity he was needed.

“In the beginning, we really didn’t know what we had in him, but saw him do a lot of good things during his sophomore year,” Smithhart said. “We kind of built around him over the past two years and called on him to make things happen.

“JaMarlin was very versatile and could do a lot of things in game situations – catching touchdown passes and making interceptions and running them back. The best things about him was that he never missed a practice and focused on his grades, which speaks volumes to his commitment and work ethic. He is one of the most competitive student-athletes I’ve had the pleasure to know.”

Smithhart said Green played as part of a program that was filled with a lot of youngsters, which forced him to wear many hats as part of the Bulldogs’ line-up.

“That made him the guy that others looked to when they wanted to know what to do in practice or when things were going crazy on the field,” he added.

“JaMarlin had the ability to line them up and get them going without being intimidated about the leadership role he played. We are sure going to miss him during the upcoming season, but we are certainly proud of the role he is going to play at Northwest and expect to see big things out of him there and wherever he chooses to go in the future.”

Green’s mother, Cotoya Winston, said she was proud for this moment in her son’s life

“He’s done everything I have asked him to do as my child, a student and an athlete,” she noted. “Being able to play at the next level has been something he has wanted to do and I fully support his desire to be part of the Northwest program. I want this opportunity to better him and prepare him for the future.”

Winston said she sees her son being successful if he continues to work hard in the classroom and on the football field and remains the focused person that he has become through high school.

During his senior year at FCHS, Green saw considerable amounts of time on both sides of the football for the Bulldogs.

On offense, Green rushed for 267 yards on 85 carries while making 19 catches for 379 yards.

In his time at quarterback, Green had a 14-54-2 throwing effort for 177 passing yards.

Defensively, he had 64 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a sack and a pass breakup.

He also received first-team all-district recognition during 2021.