Green getting past injuries
Throughout Marcus Green's career he's been called many things.
The Mississippi State senior tight end has drawn rave reviews from both Sylvester Croom and Dan Mullen during his time in Starkville being deemed a playmaker, an offensive weapon and a defensive coordinator's nightmare by his coaches.
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There is also an adjective that has been used far too many time during his three-plus years in Starkville- injury prone.
Green has missed a total of 21 games during his career with various injuries to his hip and knee. Only once has Green made it through a season playing in all 12 games in 2009.
Green's most recent injury came during week two last year against Auburn when he partially tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and ended his season.
Since that time Green has undergone surgery and underwent sixth months of rehab.
"I've still got a lot more to go but I feel better and better every day," Green said. "I expect to be full speed by September 1st."
The 6-foot-1, 240-pounder returned to the practice field last week in hopes of finishing out his career with the Bulldogs strong.
"It's been 11 months man," Green said. "It's good to be back out here and it's an honor. I had to go through a lot of rehab and surgery. I leaned on my teammates a lot and I appreciate them and put them first."
Despite his history of injuries, Green is focusing on his team's future in the upcoming season.
"You've got to put the injuries behind you," Green said. "Football is a dangerous game. The main thing is knowing you are playing for a team who loves you and the best thing you can do is rehab and get back."
The Scooba, Miss., native has played in 16 career games at MSU earning eight starts. He has hauled in 31 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns averaging 12.6 yards per catch.
The former Kemper County three-star running back does not intend to apply for a medical redshirt and will suit up for the final year in maroon and white this season.
"It's kind of hit me," Green said. "I just want to leave these guys with great intensity and knowing whenever you fall down you've got to get back up. For me, I just want to be a champion before I leave."
With the Bulldogs losing fellow senior tight end Kendric Cook to a neck injury in the spring, Green has taken on a mentoring role with some of the younger tight ends. Cook, who remains with the team as a student assistant, as well as Green work with freshmen Brandon Hill, Malcolm Johnson and Rufus Warren.
"All the tight ends behind me are very good too," Green said. "My main thing is I'm just trying to teach them how to work and be aggressive each and every day."
Naturally when you have been anywhere going on five years a lot is bound to change. During Green's time at State he has seen the program change hands from Croom to Mullen and watched it soar to new heights.
"It's changed a lot," Green said. "Coach Mullen has brought a lot of swag to the team and showed us how to really work. I wouldn't say there is any difference between him and Coach Croom but we work hard now."