Garrett at Home with Family and Team
9/28/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 28, 2001
by Baylor Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant Justin Cange
As a senior linebacker/running back at Mart High School in 1999, John Garrett was heavily recruited and had many choices of where to play at the collegiate level the following year. Garrett chose Baylor, and he and his family couldn't be more grateful.
Off the field, Garrett remains very close with his mother and older brother, Randy. The two are able to make the short trip from Mart, Texas, to attend all of Garrett's games and are "his biggest fans." Both his mother and his brother suffer from diabetes and Garrett is thankful that they are able to show their support.
On the field, Garrett and his teammates are just as close-knit. "My teammates are my best friends, we're all a very tight group," he said.
The sophomore linebacker will look to head up the Bears defense in 2001 and add to the success he experienced in a stellar freshman campaign.
"This year's mood is a lot different from last year's," Garrett said. "Everyone seems a lot more together. We're all aware of the expectations for the new season and we're determined to put the past behind us."
Garrett will certainly be a key in the Bears' hopes for a turnaround season. After not playing in the first two games of last year, he finished the season with 54 tackles, including two games with double-digit tackles, and was named to the Rivals.com True Freshman All-America Team after starting five games.
"Watching a lot of last season from the sideline helped me out," Garrett said. "I learned the defense and watched lots of film. One year later I feel I know our defense and that I can help. I definitely feel like a leader."
Garrett said he feels a unique sense of family closeness when the team is together prior to each game.
"The night before a game we are a very close group," Garrett said. "We'll relax or just watch films, but we're always together, with one heartbeat. We might all go see a movie, but we know to be back in the hotel on time. From there we go over plays and put ourselves in the right mental state to be ready for the next day."
The following morning Garrett and his team attend chapel together before returning to the hotel.
"We all remain very close on game day. Whether we're at the stadium or the hotel, this team does a good job of maintaining focus," Garrett said.
Before the 2001 season opener, Garrett said the team was certainly focused, but credits his best friend Melvin Barnett for helping to keep the team loose. Garrett said he and Barnett, the Bears' starting running back and the team barber, are having lots of fun this year.
In the opener against Arkansas State, Garrett totalled eight tackles and Barnett ran for 95 yards. If this is any indication of what is to come, look for the pair to continue having a lot of fun this season.
Garrett's goals for the team this year are big. He said he hopes the Bears can finish in the top-half of the conference and qualify for a bowl game.
"Nobody is giving us a chance," Garrett said, "but our attitude is, why not us?"
Whether this is the season that proves the critics wrong or not, one thing is certain: Garrett is now a part of a much bigger family. On the gridiron. At Baylor.
