NFL Draft: ULM’s Marcus Green selected by Falcons in sixth round

2019 NFL Draft Update: Green Selected by Atlanta in Sixth Round

MONROE, La. – ULM fifth-year senior Marcus Green, who amassed a school-record 5,286 career all-purpose yards, has been selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round (No. 203 overall) of the 2019 National Football League Draft on Saturday, April 27. Green becomes ULM’s 42nd all-time NFL Draft selection, including its first since 2016 when cornerback Trey Caldwell was chosen by Cleveland in the fifth round (No. 173 overall).

In 48 career games, Green had 204 receptions for 2,744 yards and 24 touchdowns. He ranks among ULM’s all-time leaders in TD receptions (second), receptions (second) and receiving yards (third). He also is listed among the Sun Belt’s career leaders in TD receptions (tied for second), receiving yards (sixth) and receptions (seventh).

Green closed out his ULM career by catching at least one pass in 24 consecutive games.

“I’m thrilled for Marcus Green to have an opportunity to pursue his dream of playing in the National Football League,” ULM head coach Matt Viator said. “He had a huge impact on our football program for the last three years. Marcus had a tremendous senior season, rewriting most of the ULM record book along the way.

“Atlanta has drafted a complete football player and a great person.”

An All-Sun Belt First-Team selection as both a wide receiver and all-purpose player in 2018, Green led the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (855), touchdown receptions (8) and all-purpose yards (1,518).

One of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to college football’s most versatile player, the 5-foot-8, 188-pound Green produced four scoring plays of 69 yards or more during the 2018 season. His total ranked second among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players, trailing only the Illini’s Reggie Corbin who had five TD runs of at least 69 yards.

Green ranked among the Sun Belt leaders in TD receptions (tied for second), receiving yards per game (tied for third at 71.2) and receptions (seventh at 4.2 per game). He also led the team in receptions in eight of 12 regular-season games. Green ranked fourth on the team in rushing with 20 carries for 193 yards (9.6 avg.) and one TD.

The Pontotoc, Mississippi, native ranked third in the Sun Belt and No. 25 in the NCAA FBS in all-purpose yards, averaging 126.5 per game. In addition, Green led ULM with 24 explosive plays (20-plus yards), including 12 receptions, nine kickoff returns, two rushes and one punt return. His five all-purpose plays of 60 or more yards tied for third in the NCAA FBS.

“This entire day has been surreal,” Green said. “I’ve been surrounded by 150 family and friends at a draft party at Buffalo Wild Wings. Prior to the announced selection, (Director of College Scouting) Steve Sabo called me and asked ‘Are you ready to become a Falcon?’ I said ‘Yes’ and everything else has been a blur since. Perhaps, this will all sink in when I have an opportunity to be alone and reflect on today.

“I made a visit to Atlanta in early April, so I knew they had a genuine interest in me. (General Manager) Thomas Dimitroff indicated I was drafted as an ‘all-purpose player’ and would be provided an opportunity to have an impact on special teams right away.

“After I graduated, I was offered opportunities to transfer to TCU and Mississippi State for my final year of eligibility, but I wanted to finish my career where it all started at ULM. I truly cherished every moment I experienced on the ULM campus, both as an athlete and a student. I’m grateful for all the opportunities the coaching staff provided me to showcase my abilities. And today, I feel like I was rewarded for my loyalty to ULM.”

Green amassed 190 combined yards in the regular-season finale against the Ragin’ Cajuns and became ULM’s all-time leader with 5,286 all-purpose yards (previous record: 5,246 yards by running back Cisco Richard, 1987-90). He had six receptions for 76 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown grab from Caleb Evans with 4:47 left in the fourth quarter as ULM cut its deficit to 31-28. With his six catches against ULL, Green became only the third player in school history to reach the 200-career receptions milestone (209 by Brent Leonard, 2009-12; 204 by Green, 2015-18; and 203 by Mark Vincent, 2000-03). He returned four kickoffs for 100 yards, including a season-long 43-yard runback in the second quarter that set up the Warhawks’ second TD. Green added four rushes for 14 yards.

He accounted for 139 all-purpose yards and one score against South Alabama, including a team-leading 68 rushing yards on just two carries. His 58-yard run, off an inside handoff, set up a first-quarter field goal. Green also finished off a three-play, 72-yard drive early in the third quarter with a 10-yard TD run.

He recorded his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and eighth of his career with two receptions for 149 yards and two TDs in ULM’s 44-25 win over Georgia Southern. Green, who caught a pair of slants from Evans and turned them into scoring plays of 80 and 69 yards against the Eagles, was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 10.

After accounting for 178 all-purpose yards in ULM’s 45-20 victory at Coastal Carolina, Green was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for Week 7. Green averaged 19.8 yards on nine touches against CCU. He had five receptions for 111 yards, including a 37-yard TD grab from Evans in the second quarter. His 17-yard punt return in the second quarter set up a field goal, and his 33-yard reception in the third quarter led to ULM’s fourth TD.

Green was selected Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter at Ole Miss. It marked Green’s first career punt return for a TD and his fifth career kick return for a score (four kickoff returns). He accounted for a season-high 198 all-purpose yards against the Rebels (seven receptions for 60 yards, three kickoff returns for 67 yards and one punt return for 71 yards).

Green had a team-high four catches for 75 yards at Texas A&M.

He caught a team-high four passes for 96 yards in ULM’s 21-20 victory at Southern Miss, including TD receptions of 49 and 4 yards.

Green had seven receptions for 99 yards in ULM’s 34-31 win over Southeastern Louisiana in the 2018 season opener, including TD grabs of 3 and 79 yards.

It marked the second year in a row that Green was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team at multiple positions (2017: return specialist and all-purpose player).