Pine High School’s Markell Cotton

Pine senior Markell Cotton is a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and track/field.
Cotton is a wide receiver/cornerback in football and he played all over the basketball court last season, but mostly at power forward or center.
For football, Cotton was a first-team wide receiver and a second-team punter last season. For basketball, he was an all-district honorable mention last year.
In track, Cotton long jumps, triple jumps and he runs the 100-meters, the 400 and the 4×400.
“Physically, if you put together a receiver, that’s what you want. He’s 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and 4.4-speed (in the 40-yard dash). Great team player, works hard and on the field, anytime, if you get him the ball, he can take it to the house,” Pine coach Bradley Seal said.

What do you enjoy most about playing your sports? Why?
The atmosphere. The people around me, getting to know them and getting close with them. Just small stuff like that I like.

What do you like best about being a student athlete?
The student first really, athlete second. Working hard (on the field), but also like working hard in the classroom, so I like both sides.

Who has been the most influential person in your school sports career? Why?
My cousin (former Pine player and current LSU wide receiver Derrick Dillon). He’s attending LSU right now. I grew up watching him play football and everybody says how great of a kid he was. During school, he was always good in the classroom and I’m just trying show them I can be just as much as him like in the classroom too, in the weight room and on the football field and all of that.

Who is your favorite athlete? Why?
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry, just because of the way they play. They play physical, real physical and I like that.

Best thing about living in Washington Parish?
My family lives down here.