Since becoming the starting quarterback for the Muskogee Roughers as a freshman, Jamarian Ficklin has become the school’s all-time leading passer midway through his junior season. VYPE went inside the locker room with the player everyone knows as “Byrd.”
VYPE: How old were you when you first began playing quarterback? What was that team?
Jamarian Ficklin: I was in 2nd grade when I began to start playing quarterback at Hilldale.
VYPE: As a three year starter, describe how has the game slowed down for you?
Byrd: As a freshman I was thrown into the fire being 14, I was the youngest on the field at the time I had so many nerves going through my body that I felt like I was floating before the game, but I really do thank my coaches for doing that because it built me to be the player I am today.
VYPE: What do you think are your strongest assets as quarterback? Why?
Byrd: My arm strength and my ability to make anything happen inside and outside the pocket.
VYPE: Does being left-handed give you an advantage throwing the football? Describe how?
Byrd: Yes, because when we play a team they have to game plan for a lefty rather than a right-handed quarterback that they would have to play every week. It may also confuse the d-line, safety and corners because I have an different release than everyone else.
VYPE: You’ve taken multiple recruiting trips to college campuses? How do you keep this from becoming a distraction to your preparation for the next game?
Byrd: I can’t worry about who is and who isn’t watching me, they will always be there after the game. I always remind myself that I always have to finish my season before I can go to college.
VYPE: As a junior on a senior laden team, how do you feel that you’ve become the leader of this year’s team? Describe your leadership style?
Byrd: When I’m on the field with them, I feel as I am a senior, I have the same amount of playing time as every player on the field so I know just as much maybe more. I would say I am a leader by example.
VYPE: What three words best define you as a person, on and off the field?
Byrd: Humble, intelligent, team player
VYPE: Which of these is most important? Why?
Byrd: Humble, because in today society it is so easy to get caught up into the social media success and to get an big head in everything your doing, and then forget about how much your team contributes to you as a player.
VYPE: Who are your role models? Why?
Byrd: My mother and father, they are the two hardest workers I have ever seen. They always work their hardest to provide for me and be able to take me where I need to go and provide me what I need for football and my daily life.
VYPE: What are your goals for this season? Individual and team?
Byrd: My goal individually is to do even better than what I did last year and be able to make it farther than we did last year; as a team we want to win state and make the community proud! 1-0 every week!!
