Gameday Feature: Collin Garrett
9/10/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2014
It's often been said that football is like family. For senior linebacker Collin Garrett, that statement has rung true multiple times over.
Growing up as an only child in Beaumont, Garrett didn't have the opportunity to play catch in the backyard with his brothers or holding tackling drills in the living room. But starting in the seventh grade, playing the game of football provided something he still cherishes to this day.
Brothers.
"My teammates, those guys became my brothers," Garrett said. "I have a very strong connection with them. Working hard with them over the years and seeing the results and seeing how far we have come, that is what has been the most memorable."
The first of those brotherly bonds were forged at West Brook High School where Garrett's reputation as a hardhitting linebacker was developed. A two-time all-state selection, Garrett was tabbed the District 21-5A Defensive MVP as both a junior and senior, racking up over 300 tackles during that span. Named to multiple all-district and all-region teams, Garrett had truly embraced what West Brook football's philosophy entailed.
"(The coaching staff) instilled in us that if you want anything, you have to work harder than anyone else," Garrett recalled. "There may be someone over in California at the same position that is working harder while you're sleeping. It surprised me when I learned that was something not every player learned. It was something that I just assumed everyone knew. That's one thing I definitely take pride in from West Brook."
His performance on the field drew the attention of a large number of schools with Garrett ultimately signing a letter of intent to play at Kansas. He made an immediate impact for the Jayhawks, appearing in six games as a true freshman. His first collegiate game came against Oklahoma, where he recorded four tackles, while also going head-to-head against Missouri in the Border War at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, being credited with a tackle against the Tigers.
As one of only 10 true freshman to play for the Jayhawks in 2011, Garrett was thrown into the spotlight early, showing that work ethic and competitive attitude ingrained into him back in Beaumont.
"My goal as a freshman was to play," Garrett said. "They wanted me to redshirt, but I didn't agree with that. I worked really hard during the fall camp to prove myself, and for me to reach that goal (of playing as a freshman) was a huge relief for me."
But after his freshman season at Kansas, Garrett began longing to make a return to his home state. Being far away from his family and "brothers," he began considering his options, but knowing deep down there was one place he felt he belonged.
"When I was in high school, coach David Gibbs (SFA's defensive coordinator at the time) told me after I committed to Kansas that if I ever needed a change, they would have a place for me at SFA. When I decided to make the change, I told (Kansas) to just release me to SFA, because I knew this is where I wanted to be."
Garrett's SFA connection runs deep as both his father (Greg Garrett) and uncle (Trevence King) played basketball for the Lumberjacks. But there was another family connection to Nacogdoches that made the decision even easier.
"My mother is my biggest fan, and this made it easier for her to come watch me play," Garrett said. "She raised me as a kid, missed zero middle school games, zero high school games and made it to all of my college games, unless they were way off somewhere. My mom is definitely my number one supporter."
The toughness and competitive attitude Garrett developed in Beaumont translated well to Homer Bryce Stadium. The linebacker has started all 21 games he has played in for the Lumberjacks, accumulating 184 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and three interceptions in two seasons in an SFA uniform.
He is the `Jacks leading returning tackler, posting 88 in 2013 with 4.5 tackles for loss after earning honorable mention All-SLC honors in 2012. Now with a new mentor in defensive coordinator Matt Williamson, Garrett has developed as the leader of the Lumberjack linebacking corps, a responsibility he doesn't take lightly.
"It's something I've tried to take on headfirst," said Garrett. "Coach Williamson moved me over to the Mike linebacker in spring practices, which is kind of like the captain of the linebackers. With that new title, I knew I needed to step up my game and have tried to increase my performance in the weight room, in the film room and on the field.
With one final season of With one final season of eligibility remaining, Garrett echoes the thoughts of the rest of the SFA seniors - a group that came to Nacogdoches on the heels of backto-back Southland Conference championships in 2009 and 2010. They know their time is growing short and are hungry to turn SFA back into one of the elite teams of the conference.
"Everybody has to be on the same page and everybody has to have their eyes fixed on one goal and do anything to reach that goal," Garrett said. "With the competition that coach Conque and his staff has brought and the passion they have to succeed, I believe that pretty much everybody on this team has bought into the program and we're ready to make that next move."
Knowing the strongest way to be a leader is through his example, Garrett showed his leadership role in the season-opener at 20th-ranked Kansas State, tying for the team lead with seven tackles. The Beaumont native made a number of bone-rattling hits while also notching the first interception of the season, hauling a tipped pass off Wildcat quarterback Jake Waters in the third quarter which set up the Lumberjacks' second touchdown.
For one final season, Garrett will get to take to the field every Saturday with his adopted brothers, the ones he has worked, sweat, bled, lifted, fought and celebrated with. He has now taken on the role as the big brother for his Lumberjack teammates and hopes to serve that same need that many of his other teammates filled for him.
"If they ever need anything, they know they can call me," Garrett said. "I'll help them however I can, show them the things I have learned. It's a whole different world than what many of them are used to, so I'm just going to take them under my wing and guide them in the right direction."
-SFA-
Each home game, the Lumberjack Game Day program will feature one of the SFA players, giving fans an inside look at one of their favorite Lumberjacks. For the game against Incarnate Word, Lumberjack Game Day featured senior linebacker Collin Garrett. Be sure to pick up your copy of the 2014 Lumberjack Game Day program each home game.
It's often been said that football is like family. For senior linebacker Collin Garrett, that statement has rung true multiple times over.
Growing up as an only child in Beaumont, Garrett didn't have the opportunity to play catch in the backyard with his brothers or holding tackling drills in the living room. But starting in the seventh grade, playing the game of football provided something he still cherishes to this day.
Brothers.
"My teammates, those guys became my brothers," Garrett said. "I have a very strong connection with them. Working hard with them over the years and seeing the results and seeing how far we have come, that is what has been the most memorable."
The first of those brotherly bonds were forged at West Brook High School where Garrett's reputation as a hardhitting linebacker was developed. A two-time all-state selection, Garrett was tabbed the District 21-5A Defensive MVP as both a junior and senior, racking up over 300 tackles during that span. Named to multiple all-district and all-region teams, Garrett had truly embraced what West Brook football's philosophy entailed.
"(The coaching staff) instilled in us that if you want anything, you have to work harder than anyone else," Garrett recalled. "There may be someone over in California at the same position that is working harder while you're sleeping. It surprised me when I learned that was something not every player learned. It was something that I just assumed everyone knew. That's one thing I definitely take pride in from West Brook."
His performance on the field drew the attention of a large number of schools with Garrett ultimately signing a letter of intent to play at Kansas. He made an immediate impact for the Jayhawks, appearing in six games as a true freshman. His first collegiate game came against Oklahoma, where he recorded four tackles, while also going head-to-head against Missouri in the Border War at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, being credited with a tackle against the Tigers.
As one of only 10 true freshman to play for the Jayhawks in 2011, Garrett was thrown into the spotlight early, showing that work ethic and competitive attitude ingrained into him back in Beaumont.
"My goal as a freshman was to play," Garrett said. "They wanted me to redshirt, but I didn't agree with that. I worked really hard during the fall camp to prove myself, and for me to reach that goal (of playing as a freshman) was a huge relief for me."
But after his freshman season at Kansas, Garrett began longing to make a return to his home state. Being far away from his family and "brothers," he began considering his options, but knowing deep down there was one place he felt he belonged.
"When I was in high school, coach David Gibbs (SFA's defensive coordinator at the time) told me after I committed to Kansas that if I ever needed a change, they would have a place for me at SFA. When I decided to make the change, I told (Kansas) to just release me to SFA, because I knew this is where I wanted to be."
Garrett's SFA connection runs deep as both his father (Greg Garrett) and uncle (Trevence King) played basketball for the Lumberjacks. But there was another family connection to Nacogdoches that made the decision even easier.
"My mother is my biggest fan, and this made it easier for her to come watch me play," Garrett said. "She raised me as a kid, missed zero middle school games, zero high school games and made it to all of my college games, unless they were way off somewhere. My mom is definitely my number one supporter."
The toughness and competitive attitude Garrett developed in Beaumont translated well to Homer Bryce Stadium. The linebacker has started all 21 games he has played in for the Lumberjacks, accumulating 184 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and three interceptions in two seasons in an SFA uniform.
He is the `Jacks leading returning tackler, posting 88 in 2013 with 4.5 tackles for loss after earning honorable mention All-SLC honors in 2012. Now with a new mentor in defensive coordinator Matt Williamson, Garrett has developed as the leader of the Lumberjack linebacking corps, a responsibility he doesn't take lightly.
"It's something I've tried to take on headfirst," said Garrett. "Coach Williamson moved me over to the Mike linebacker in spring practices, which is kind of like the captain of the linebackers. With that new title, I knew I needed to step up my game and have tried to increase my performance in the weight room, in the film room and on the field.
With one final season of With one final season of eligibility remaining, Garrett echoes the thoughts of the rest of the SFA seniors - a group that came to Nacogdoches on the heels of backto-back Southland Conference championships in 2009 and 2010. They know their time is growing short and are hungry to turn SFA back into one of the elite teams of the conference.
"Everybody has to be on the same page and everybody has to have their eyes fixed on one goal and do anything to reach that goal," Garrett said. "With the competition that coach Conque and his staff has brought and the passion they have to succeed, I believe that pretty much everybody on this team has bought into the program and we're ready to make that next move."
Knowing the strongest way to be a leader is through his example, Garrett showed his leadership role in the season-opener at 20th-ranked Kansas State, tying for the team lead with seven tackles. The Beaumont native made a number of bone-rattling hits while also notching the first interception of the season, hauling a tipped pass off Wildcat quarterback Jake Waters in the third quarter which set up the Lumberjacks' second touchdown.
For one final season, Garrett will get to take to the field every Saturday with his adopted brothers, the ones he has worked, sweat, bled, lifted, fought and celebrated with. He has now taken on the role as the big brother for his Lumberjack teammates and hopes to serve that same need that many of his other teammates filled for him.
"If they ever need anything, they know they can call me," Garrett said. "I'll help them however I can, show them the things I have learned. It's a whole different world than what many of them are used to, so I'm just going to take them under my wing and guide them in the right direction."
-SFA-
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