Making an immediate impact for the Buckeyes
Regardless of the high school you came from, making an immediate impact at the college level isn’t a given. At an institution like Ohio State, the defensive line has historically been a position of strength. It’s more likely that you take a redshirt than earn a single start as a freshman. Having been described as “really impressive” by coach Urban Meyer, Garrett was an exception.
“It meant the world,” Garrett reflected on the faith shown in him early in his Ohio State career. “It meant that he trusted my training and showed him that I could learn and translate it to the field. The one thing I took with me to college was my effort running to the ball, chasing down, making sure that I did everything possible to contribute to the team. When he said I could be a contributor, I was very honored.”
During his early Ohio State career, Garrett played alongside future first-round NFL Draft picks Nick Bosa and Chase Young. While he carried work ethic from his time at Bishop Gorman to the college level, he credits the exposure to that level of talent for helping develop him into the player he is today.
“Just being able to be under and around great guys like Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Sam Hubbard, Jaylen Holmes, Dre’Mont Jones, BB Landers, Jashon Cornell, they really imprinted on me and allowed me to learn from them,” Garrett said. “It’s the experience, and it’s the conversations that you have in the film study that you gain from them that really allows me to become the player that I am today.”
The Buckeyes brotherhood
Garrett refuses to answer which player was the best between Bosa and Young. He describes them as “truly great pass rushers” who play with “a ferocious mentality and warrior spirit.” Their role and influence in his development is something that he’s harnessed through what has looked — from the outside — like a difficult season for Ohio State this year.
“I wouldn’t say it was difficult. I’d say it was really a learning curve,” Garrett said. “Most of the defensive players were inexperienced, first-time starters. 2020 did an injustice for the development of a lot of guys. So, for me personally, I felt that I needed to leave those guys with a leader, somebody who can help them get ready for the 2022 season and build that confidence. I feel like those guys became better people and better athletes.”
People are important to Garrett. For all the success he’s achieved on the field with Ohio State, the passion in his voice is palpable when the topic of conversation involves either how he’s been influenced or how this journey through football has allowed him to influence others. It comes as no surprise that the relationships forged through football are the highlight of his college career.
“The highlight was really just seeing such great players come and go, being able to be around them, be able to call them my brother, to be able to learn from them, cry with them, to sweat, blood, and tears with them,” Garrett said. “It really wasn’t Saturdays for me. It was those winter workouts, summer workouts, when you’re in the locker room, and those conversations that you can never replace. Those conversations you have, not even about football, just about life. Those are the highlights of my time at Ohio State.”
Preparing for the 2022 NFL Draft
It’s the Thursday of the week before the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl when I sit down with Garrett. He’s training out west in preparation for what has become the premier all-star event of the NFL Draft cycle. The importance of being an attendee in Mobile isn’t lost on the Ohio State defensive tackle.
“To earn an invite, I was truly humbled and blessed,” Garrett said. “I know how special it is and what comes with it. To be recognized as an elite athlete in the sport and to bring that not only to my family but to our people is truly a blessing and an honor.
“Just to be able to go down there and showcase your talents, how you interact with other individuals in your sport, and build those relationships with coaches. I think it’s very important to give you that little extra buffer that can give to the NFL to say, this is who I am.”
“Who I am” is an interesting concept for Garrett. The Ohio State product is a strong, fast, and versatile defensive tackle. He has a high football IQ and is a high-motor competitor. He points to the 2020 Michigan State game where he was “just an overall dog” as the perfect football example of who he is.
Serve before you take
It was the turbulent offseason of 2020. The Big Ten season was in limbo when Garrett walked into the local DMV to register his car. Unsurprisingly, the lady behind the desk recognized the 6’2″, 300-pound young man who stood before her.
“Hey, I know you play for Ohio State,” Garrett picks up the story. “My grandson has youth football, and they’re doing a little flag tournament. We would love for you to come out. So I grabbed my teammate Pete Werner, and we went and watched, and next thing you know, I was giving back, and I was a football coach for the Inner City Buckeyes.
“I really loved it. I know how much my coaches and mentors meant to me. So, why not be a mentor and someone that the youth can lean on for questions? Whether that’s football or life, or somebody just needs someone to listen and understand what they’re going through. And that’s what I did. I love giving back. I’ve always been taught that you serve before you take.”
Whichever NFL team selects Garrett in the 2022 NFL Draft knows that they’re getting a ferocious animal with a warrior mentality on the field. More impressive, however, is the man behind the football player. A man forged by adversity and Polynesian pride. A man that will serve before he takes.