Mario Martin wasn’t what Joshua Pulphus expected when Pulphus took over as the head coach of the Columbus High School football team this season.
Martin stands 6-foot-3, but he’s a quiet guy with a soft voice, Pulphus said.
“In street clothes and walking down the hallway, you’ll think he’s a 5-5 kid who’s been bullied and picked on his whole life,” Pulphus said.
But when the senior defensive end is on the football field, that shyness fades away.
“On the field, he’s violent; he’s reckless; he’s very passionate about the game,” Pulphus said.
Those characteristics served Martin well during his time as a Falcon, which came to an end Thursday. Martin graduated from Columbus after the fall semester — Thursday was his last day on campus, he said — and signed his national letter of intent to play football at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
“Mario’s a kid who knows what it takes to be successful,” Pulphus said. “He’s going to a place that’s gonna allow him to grow and continue to mature as a young man. For Mario, this is something that’s well deserved and something that he needs.”
Co-Lin sent off 18 players to Division I football programs this year, including four to Mississippi State and three to Southern Miss. For Martin, whose dream is to play in the NFL, the school’s track record helped him believe he could achieve that goal.
“I consider every junior college a major upgrade because you’re getting free education, but for their track record of sending kids to different Division I programs, I’m proud for Mario,” Pulphus said. “I was happy to see him sign and be committed and be able to play at Co-Lin.”
Martin chose Co-Lin over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, which showed interest early in the year, and East Mississippi Community College, which came on strong late.
Martin originally committed to Co-Lin in 10th grade — Co-Lin defensive line coach and defensive coordinator William J. Jones III was instrumental in recruiting Martin since that season, building a relationship that helped bring Martin to Wesson.
“It’s about being dedicated to the school that I started off with, and I know coach Jones is gonna stay loyal to me,” Martin said.
In signing Thursday, Martin became the first Falcon to sign in Pulphus’ time as head coach and Columbus’ only mid-year signee of the season. On the latter, Pulphus said, Columbus plans to improve — he wants at least two or three next year.
“That’s a blessing to have him go out and be enrolled and leave mid-year,” Pulphus said. “This is something new here at Columbus that we’re excited to have. … He just set the bar, set the tone. We’re happy, we’re excited about it, and we’re looking forward to December of 2020 where we’ll have more players signing in the early signing period.”
Martin plans to start at Co-Lin on Monday, and he’s already got goals in mind for his time in Wesson.
“Next year we’re bringing a ring home,” he said. “You have my word on that. We’re gonna bring a ring home. We’re going to the playoffs.”
For Pulphus, there’s no doubt Martin can achieve that goal — or any Martin sets his mind to.
“Mario’s just a great kid,” Pulphus said. “Mario’s a very hungry kid. Mario’s a kid who’s gonna do well at the next level. Mario’s gonna take hard work and discipline to Co-Lin, and this isn’t gonna be the last you hear about him.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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