2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Devon Garrison, WR/TE, Pittsburg State University

• Name: Devon Garrison
• Position: WR/TE
• College: Pittsburg State University
• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 232 lbs
• Twitter: @thedg_88
• Instagram: @thedg_88

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

Growing up my dad always put a football in my hands. We would play catch almost every day. When I was really young he was tired of me catching with my body and not my hands. So he threw the ball as hard as he could right at my chest and it knocked me over and knocked the wind out of me for the first time in my life. I ran into the house crying once I got my breath back. From that point on, I stopped catching with my chest and just fell in love with doing everything I could possibly do with the football. Trying to throw is farther and more accurate than everyone else and trying to make catches that nobody else could make. I loved the challenges that football brought to me.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

One of my favorites memories is winning the state championship in high school my junior year. During that season I played free safety, quarterback and tight end. In the playoffs, I had my best game of the season recording two interceptions in the first half against our rival who had won the state title the year before. We shut them out 56-0 and dominated everyone else as well.

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

It would have to be my mom. She owns and instructs a dance studio. She is the hardest worker that I have ever witnessed in my entire life. Her ability to work through any obstacles that come her way and make the people around her better are aspects that I try to incorporate into my everyday life as well.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

The opportunity to finish and correct some of our wrongs over the past couple of years. We have gotten closer and closer to where we want to end up at as a team and to have only one more shot at the national championship fires me up. I’m also looking to build off of my best season of my career last year and being even better this year.

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

It would have to be Odell Beckham Jr. He first got into the league when I was a freshman in high school and I saw all the ridiculous ways that he was catching the football and it inspired me to go out and try it as well. People always ask me how I am able to make some of the ridiculous catches that I do and I always tell them that it’s just about practicing it over and over.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Pittsburg State?

The family environment within the team and the major support that we have for our team. The atmosphere at home on game days are part of what makes Pitt State such a special place. Our fans travel pretty well so even during away games it still feels like we’re at home.

What should we know about Devon Garrison the person?

I am super competitive with almost every that I do. Whether I am on the football field or playing sand volleyball, I want to win and win by a wide margin.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

I love the spread offense. I am a pass happy guy at heart. Every good offense has a good balanced run attack as well to set up the play action pass down the field. Running the ball effectively and then getting play makers out in space is what I’ve done throughout my college playing days.

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

I am a problem solver. I think of multiple ways that the problem could be solved and then I attack it. After almost every play, I replay what just happened in my head so I can relay it to my coaches and help make adjustments if necessary. I am never one to back down from a challenge. I will always do whatever I can to overcome any obstacle that comes my way.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team first guy willing to do whatever it takes for his team to win championships. Someone who can makes plays on every level of the field. I’ve been described by many of my coaches and teammates to have the best hands that they’ve ever seen. I am also a guy who is going to push the guys around me to make them better, not only by my words but by my actions as well.

What stands out about your film the most?

Aside from the catches I make, it would have to be my ability to never give up on a play. If someone else makes a catch, I am running to go make a block. If we turn the ball over I am running to try and make the tackle and potentially get the ball back. Once I step onto the field, there is just a certain level of intensity that I carry with me.

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

I believe someone who has been overlooked recently has been Kory Woodruff. His ability to not only play 4 out 5 positions on the o-line but also dominate at those spots is what makes him so elite. He is an incredibly hard worker and a great leader and person off the field as well. He is a great person to be around and any organization would be lucky to have him.