Josh Marsh always seems to be pursuing someone.
The Auburn commitment consistently tracks down ball carriers and led the AHSAA with 206 tackles last season as a junior. Away from the gridiron, Marsh is constantly seeking ways to help others.
Marsh has made five mission trips to the African nation of Swaziland to support people in a country ravaged by HIV/Aids, hunger and poverty.
"They don't know if they're going to eat," Marsh said. "Just the joy that everybody has with all those circumstances that they're in is unexplainable. You can't go over there and say anything else except that 'God's real.'"
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Marsh made the African trips with members of Epic Church, which is pastored by his parents, IV and Bene'. Epic helped established a CarePoint center in Swaziland that feeds hundreds of children daily.
"You see true, first-century miracles over there," Josh said. "Just crazy things that are mind blowing; things that are hard to believe unless you actually see it."
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Marsh, who has been clocked at 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, averaged 17.2 tackles last season. He has averaged the same amount this season with a high of 27 against Hazel Green. While Marsh has long dreamed of gridiron success at Auburn and in the NFL, he feels that he ultimately has a higher calling. Marsh plans to eventually be the pastor at Epic.
"My dad is big about legacy," Marsh said. "I always thought my brother would be the one who took over the church. One day I felt like it was going to be me. I prayed about it and asked my dad, 'What does that look like?' He said, 'Well, just go do you. I'm going to start taking you with me everywhere we go, if you want to. I'm not going to pressure you. I'm just going to have those doors open.' I always go with him because I know that's what I'm supposed to do with my life because that's what God told me."
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Marsh's parents were not surprised by his decision.
"They said that they had always known because of my heart and who I've always been," Marsh said. "I think I ran from it more than anything because I was scared. I always thought I had to fill my dad's shoes. My dad is a great man, so it made me nervous. But he told me, 'You don't have to be me; just be the best you and God will use you in ways that he couldn't use me.'"
Marsh's off-the-field conduct doesn't go unnoticed. Decatur coach Jere Adcock is a big fan.
"When he walks across the stripe, he's completely different than when he's around school and everywhere else," Adcock said. "He's personable and cares about people. He will do anything in the world for kids. I took him over to my 4-year-old grandson's birthday party and he played with them. He treats everybody like they're important. He's a team-first guy. For him, it's all about making somebody else better or feel better."
Marsh hasn't decided on a major at Auburn, but he's leaning toward business with a minor in psychology. With Decatur eliminated from playoff contention, Marsh plans to graduate early, sign with Auburn during the early period (Dec. 20-22) and start classes in January. He has been a regular at Tigers home games this season.
"I think any talent that God blesses you with, he gives them to you so you can have a specific platform," Marsh said. "I'm going to Auburn, so He has a big platform for me within football. I plan to use it."
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