STARKVILLE — Farrod Green basked in the glow of camera lights.
Seated at a podium to the right of the main stage at SEC Media Days July 17 in Hoover, Alabma, the senior tight end fielded questions on the upcoming season, changes in his game and Mississippi State as a whole.
Finally, Green was the center of attention.
“I’m going to have a bigger role than I have in the past,” he told The Dispatch. “And I’m ready to take it head on.”
Green has played a limited role in four years at MSU. Used heavily in blocking sets, he has appeared in 38 games in his career albeit with limited statistical impact. After redshirting his first season on campus, he’s totaled just 31 receptions for 376 yards and one touchdown.
Past numbers aside, coach Joe Moorhead’s second season at the helm in Starkville offers optimism for an increased role for the tight ends. That coupled with the departure of incumbent starter Justin Johnson, Green personally envisions an increase in production as he slides into the No. 1 slot.
“You’ll see me all around the field this year,” he said.
MSU currently boasts as many as five tight ends that could see playing time in 2019. Green is the elder statesman of the contingent. Behind him is uber-athletic freshman Geor’quarius Spivey, dual-sport freshman Brad Cumbest and sophomore Minnesota product Powers Warren. Junior Dontea Jones could also factor in.
Channeling the leadership styles he learned from Dak Prescott and Zack Jackson his freshman season, Green has embraced his role as the de facto leader of the tight ends as the lone senior in the group.
“Now that he’s a senior he’s taken a leadership role,” associate head coach Tony Hughes said. “And not only was he working extremely hard during the summer and the offseason but now in preseason camp it’s really taken off for him and is moving in the right direction.”
“Coach (Joe) Moorhead’s offense requires the tight ends to do a lot of things so we put it on ourselves to work hard and demand more of ourselves,” Green added. “I’m kind of holding everyone in the room accountable to be ready to make that play whatever it is — blocking, catching the ball, just being that guy, being that great teammate.”
Beyond the player-to-player interactions, Hughes’ return to Starkville is an added bonus for Green. The former Jackson State head coach and one-time Dan Mullen disciple recruited Green out of Wesson Attendance Center in the class of 2015.
In the time since his recruitment, Green and Hughes have maintained their rapport.
“I think I was one of the first people he reached out to and knew he was coming back,” Green said. “I was happy for him to be back on the SEC-level and I feel like he’s not just a football coach, but a life coach and that’s something I needed and I won’t take for granted.”
As he wandered off the podium for a handful more responsibilities Green further grasped the spotlight. With the hours of radio hits, interviews and public appearances behind him, Green caught his first early taste of the attention likely coming his way in 2019.
“It’s a fun experience,” he said at the time. “It’s different because a lot of these people haven’t seen me before, but I’m loving it.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.