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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Linemen Belton And Marcus Johnson Make Waves
6/7/2001 | Football
June 5, 2001
By Peter Ross
Daily Mississippian
(U-WIRE) OXFORD, Miss. -- The secret is out concerning Belton and Marcus Johnson's size and it's found in "Green cornbread and Mamma's home cooking," proclaimed the two brothers.
Both Belton and Marcus are future stars on the Ole Miss offensive line. At 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, Belton, the redshirt junior, is considered small since his redshirt freshman brother is 6-foot-6, 320 pounds. Last season as a sophomore, Belton started all 12 games for the Rebels at right tackle, replacing Ole Miss All-American and NFL star Todd Wade. But getting to that point in his career has not been easy for Belton.
He first came to Ole Miss three years ago as a walk-on offensive lineman who bench-pressed only 135 pounds. Little did he know that his hard work in the weight room and dedication to the program would lead to a scholarship before his redshirt sophomore season and a starting position.
"It was tough," Belton said. "When I first got here I could not even bench 135 pounds."
Belton, who now benches in the 340 to 350 range and plans to be well over 380 by fall, said. "All the other guys, (Terrence) Metcalf, Tutan Reyes, and Todd (Wade) were benching 400 plus," he said. "At first I thought that I did not have a shot. I kept working hard and stayed up here every summer, and finally I was able to hit 300 pounds.
"I had my goals set. The first year I was here my goal was to get stronger. My redshirt freshman season I wanted to play in a few games and I got to do that. My sophomore year my goal was to start. Our offensive line got thin with Wade and Tutan leaving. I was a freshman and the only tackle on that side. Right then I knew I had a shot and it pushed me to get stronger and 'till this day I am doing the same thing, trying to get stronger."
Marcus came to Ole Miss with a little more publicity as he had scholarship offers from others schools like Mississippi State, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn. With his brother already on campus, the Coffeeville, Miss., native decided to join his brother in Oxford.
"I thought it would be cool to play with him again," Marcus said. "Before I got up here I used to come visit him and I got to know a lot of the players on the team and become friends with them. Also since our mother is the biggest influence on our life, I did not want her to choose which son to go watch play on Saturdays. This way she can make the short trip from home and watch us both."
When Marcus first arrived in Oxford along with high school All-American Doug Buckles, and All-State James Campbell, little did anyone know that Marcus was the closest of the three to seeing the field last season. Mainly due to injuries, Marcus traveled with the team the last half of the season and was close to seeing action as a true freshman.
"He was our fourth guard," Ole Miss offensive coordinator and offensive line coach John Latina said. "I did not want to play him and waste a year on 20 or 30 reps. Our intent was not to play him and thankfully it happened and now we have four more years with him. He was one guy hurt or a broken helmet away from playing."
Latina believes that the travel and extra practice with the varsity will pay extra dividends for Marcus this fall.
"That was good because he knows our routine on away trips and he won't be phased with that this year when he has to travel," Latina said.
So far Latina has been pleased with the performances' of the two brothers, and sees the future even brighter.
"Belton has 12 games under his belt, which really helps. He has gotten stronger and bigger and he also has another spring in our system. So he has spent a lot of time and experience in our system and that is always the key. I am expecting him to have a really good junior year," Latina said.
"Marcus is of course just a redshirt freshman and he has come along really, really well. He has an outstanding work ethic and he wants to become a great player. It is just a matter of game experience. His work ethic is second to none. He is going to be a great player and has a bright future at Ole Miss."
Belton and Marcus give most of the credit to the extra strength to the new strength and conditioning coach Ruben Mendoza.
"Best thing to ever happen to the program, ever," Belton stated, while Marcus whole-heartedly agreed.
"I am glad Coach (David) Cutcliffe hired him. Coach Mendoza is a good guy. He has put us through a lot of hard work Monday through Friday. It is very intense, but he is hands on and makes it fun. I feel like I am getting stronger every day. It did not used to be like this.
Some players would come in and instead of working out their whole body and doing what they were supposed to do, they just did curls so that their arms looked good. It's not like that any more. We are already a stronger team in the weight room."
Having Ole Miss being picked last or near last in the SEC West this coming season has not been too much of a concern to the Johnson brothers, as they use that as extra motivation.
"Everyone knows what we can do. We are going to be better because it is more of a team concept this year," Belton said. "We want to help each other and motivate each other. A lot of players were to their selves last year. Now each unit hangs out with each other and we are going to have several cookouts this summer."
Not only are the Johnson duo great players, but they are great student athletes also. Their personality is what impresses Latina the most about the two.
"I have personally not coached two brothers with their quality, character, and ability or potential," Latina said. "They are unique guys, mature, and tremendous people. That is a tribute to their mother. Hopefully my kids will grow up to be good people like them."
And don't be surprised to see a little more home cooking for Marcus and Belton since home is less than 30 minutes away.
