Will Martin profile
Martin will wear his third set of school colors in as many years when he takes to the field this Friday night in the Jaguars' season lid lifter.
Will knows a thing or two about fitting in with an established team.
"It's all gone pretty well," said Martin. "Coming in as the new kid, being a middle linebacker and being a D1 player people look at you as a leader.
"At the same time there are a lot of kids who were already here and this is their senior year, so I understand how they feel about somebody new coming in.
"This summer I wasn't a real vocal leader. I just went out there and worked hard and tried to show them what I could do. When we played the jamboree this weekend, I was more active and a lot more vocal."
Madison Central played as well as anyone in their district in the closing weeks of the season. The late season surge has some fans expecting a deep run into the 5A playoffs come November.
"I feel like we are going to have a real good team," said Will. "We are kind of a junior led team. We have a good senior leadership, but we have a real talented junior class. A lot of those guys played last year, so they aren't your typical juniors starting for the first time."
Martin closed out his college recruitment a few months back when he committed to Southern Miss. A few schools have inquired about Will, but so far no other schools have offered.
"I guess we'll see what happens," said Will. "If I have a real good season, there may be some other schools that offer me, but I am real comfortable with Southern Miss."
The Golden Eagles have recently made some upgrades to their facilites. The buzz around the Southern Miss program is very positive. Martin is certainly not immune to the goings on in Hattiesburg.
"I think the facilities there are going to be really nice," said Martin. "I really like Coach Fedora and the things he is trying to do. I think it's really going to help the attendance down there next Saturday."
The Golden Eagles open up at home next weekend against the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana. Will plans to be in attendance.
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