2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jacob Garrett, FB/TE, Southern Illinois University

• Name: Jacob Garrett
• Position: FB/TE
• College: Southern Illinois University
• Height: 6’1″
• Weight: 245 lbs
• Twitter: @jacob12garrett
• Instagram: @jacob12garrett

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

My dad was my coach in every sport I played growing up and had an extensive football background himself. He has always been involved in the game and his love of the game was contagious and one of the first reasons I chose football over all other sports. Football is what I have been passionate about since I was a kid and I have never really wanted anything else but to be a football player.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

The first thing that comes to mind is from the spring football season we played where we beat North Dakota State 38-14 at home to break their 39 game win streak and essentially secure a spot in the playoffs. To then go on and beat a Top 5 ranked Weber State at their place in the first round of the FCS playoffs really topped off one of the most memorable seasons of my football career. Personally, it was a great honor and personal goal of mine to make the Academic All-American team as well as 2nd Team All-American in my final season and I am super proud to have achieved those honors.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Moving forward I am excited to put my best football on display. My final season at Southern Illinois was just the surface of what I believe I am capable of. I am excited to continue to grow as a football player, expand my skillsets, and compete every day to be the best player and teammate I can be for whatever organization is willing to take a chance on me.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Growing up in Indiana I was always a fan of the Indianapolis Colts. So, if I could hangout with anyone it would be Peyton Manning. To be able to just talk football with him and pick the brain of one of the greatest to ever do it would be an amazing experience.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My dad inspires me the most. He has always been a person I can talk to about football and outside of football. His ability to go to work every day then straight to the practice field and his ability to build and maintain relationships with anyone from any walk of life is something that I aspire to do in life. If I’m remembered for anything, I want it to be as a great person, friend, and teammate that my dad taught me to be.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

In the run game, I love Counter. The ability to block up the box differently whether it’s a 3-4, 4-3, or any variation of 5 man fronts and still block up everything is one of my favorite things about counter. I also love the ability to put in different actions with counter whether it be a pass protection or reverse. In the pass game, I love Mesh. I think it’s a versatile play that can be used on any down with different tags on top. Whether it be a post or corner for the outside receiver with the back wheeling behind, I think there’s many variations that can confuse defenses and allow for an easy first down/completion.

What should we know about Jacob Garrett the person?

I am an open, honest, and trustworthy guy that is always willing to help out or be there for someone. Like I said, if I’m remembered for anything I want it to be that I was a great guy, friend, teammate and one that always did the right thing and was there when they needed me. I would say if you ask people who know me they would say something similar about me, so that’s what I think people should know about me.

What stands out about your film the most?

In my film, my footwork, technique, and physicality stands out as well as my ability to block guys in the box as well as on the perimeter. At SIU I was asked to do a lot whether it be hand in the ground tight end, true fullback, carry the ball on the goal line, or block for screens lined as a slot receiver. But what translates the most from my film at any of those positions is my physicality.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I face challenges head on. I am excited by challenging situations and the opportunity that each new challenge presents. On the field it may be going against a great player and off the field it may be a challenging class that requires a lot of time and effort. Each challenge brings new obstacles but presents new opportunities and I find myself to be someone who seeks out challenges and finds ways to succeed in any way possible.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get an intelligent, dedicated, physical football player who is ready to come in to learn and compete and do whatever it takes to win. I view myself as a leader through and through and I would do whatever it took to earn the trust and respect of my teammates, coaches, and leaders to establish myself as a leader.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love the camaraderie built among all the guys I have played with and against. Football truly is one big brotherhood and outside of the white lines, every one of us has something in common or knows a guy who we had both played with or against. I have built lifelong relationships with guys from across the world and I am excited to continue to see where this game will take me.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

The most underrated player that I have played with would be DJ Davis. He was a running back I played with at SIU and was one of the most explosive and talented backs I have seen still to this day. He was smart and knew the offense well which made him more dangerous than guys who just had the ability; he had both. Blocking for a guy like that made your job feel really easy.