From the NFF...
Tulsa’s Keyarris Garrett Hopes To Go Out With A Bang In Independence Bowl
December 23rd, 2015
Chuck Cox
The long and winding road of Tulsa receiver Keyarris Garrett’s college career will come to an end on Saturday against Virginia Tech in the Independence Bowl.
In addition to taking part in legendary Hokies coach Frank Beamer’s final game, Garrett will also have plenty of friends and family on hand from his hometown of Daingerfield, Texas, which is about two hours away from the bowl site, Shreveport, La.
“Ideally, all of them will be able to come – especially since it’s my last game,” Garrett said. “I’m excited.”
But Garrett’s football career will likely continue well beyond Saturday. After a senior season that has seen Garrett (6-4, 221) make 88 catches for 1,451 yards and seven touchdowns, he is likely to become the third member of his family to play in the NFL. Two of Garrett’s uncles, David Mims and David Whitmore, both played in the league.
“That was crazy knowing I had two uncles who I knew really well went to the NFL,” said Garrett, who had a great high school career that included helping Daingerfield’s storied program win three straight state championships. “It just shows the talent we have in our family. To me, it was a big thing.”
But Garrett’s career after high school hit a serious speed bump his sophomore season at Tulsa when he broke his leg in the second game of the season against Colorado State.
“Once I did it, I thought my career was over,” Garrett said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to come back from it or not. I was glad I was granted that second chance to go out there and prove everything; I just take that wherever I go. You have to make the most of your opportunities because you never know when it could be taken away from you.”
Garrett rehabbed and battled his way back to the field last season after receiving an additional season of eligibility because of medical hardship. He missed two games and still managed to make 47 receptions for 698 yards and five touchdowns in 2014.
“I really didn’t start to get healthy until the last two or three games of the season,” Garrett said. “I didn’t contribute as much as I should have because I really wasn’t myself. I was still nervous about getting tackled and hit; I didn’t want it [an injury] to happen again. This year, I’m just back healthy.”
Garrett said the leg injury and time away from the game allowed him to put things in perspective.
“When I was a freshman, I told myself, ‘Hey, I want to go to the NFL, play in the NFL and show everybody what I can do,’” Garrett said. “I’ve been working extremely hard – especially this year coming off the injury. I had to make sure I had everything back, because this was really the last chance I had to show everybody what I could do. This year has meant a lot to me. I’m grateful for all of the things that have happened for me. Everything’s worked out so far.”
Now, Garrett will try to put the finishing touches on his college career by helping the Golden Hurricane (6-6) to their first bowl win since 2012.
“It feels like I’ve been here forever,” Garrett said. “I am going to miss it, though. I’ve made a lot of friends. It’s a place I’ll never forget. Playing college football was a great experience.”
Tulsa’s Keyarris Garrett Hopes To Go Out With A Bang In Independence Bowl
December 23rd, 2015
Chuck Cox
The long and winding road of Tulsa receiver Keyarris Garrett’s college career will come to an end on Saturday against Virginia Tech in the Independence Bowl.
In addition to taking part in legendary Hokies coach Frank Beamer’s final game, Garrett will also have plenty of friends and family on hand from his hometown of Daingerfield, Texas, which is about two hours away from the bowl site, Shreveport, La.
“Ideally, all of them will be able to come – especially since it’s my last game,” Garrett said. “I’m excited.”
But Garrett’s football career will likely continue well beyond Saturday. After a senior season that has seen Garrett (6-4, 221) make 88 catches for 1,451 yards and seven touchdowns, he is likely to become the third member of his family to play in the NFL. Two of Garrett’s uncles, David Mims and David Whitmore, both played in the league.
“That was crazy knowing I had two uncles who I knew really well went to the NFL,” said Garrett, who had a great high school career that included helping Daingerfield’s storied program win three straight state championships. “It just shows the talent we have in our family. To me, it was a big thing.”
But Garrett’s career after high school hit a serious speed bump his sophomore season at Tulsa when he broke his leg in the second game of the season against Colorado State.
“Once I did it, I thought my career was over,” Garrett said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to come back from it or not. I was glad I was granted that second chance to go out there and prove everything; I just take that wherever I go. You have to make the most of your opportunities because you never know when it could be taken away from you.”
Garrett rehabbed and battled his way back to the field last season after receiving an additional season of eligibility because of medical hardship. He missed two games and still managed to make 47 receptions for 698 yards and five touchdowns in 2014.
“I really didn’t start to get healthy until the last two or three games of the season,” Garrett said. “I didn’t contribute as much as I should have because I really wasn’t myself. I was still nervous about getting tackled and hit; I didn’t want it [an injury] to happen again. This year, I’m just back healthy.”
Garrett said the leg injury and time away from the game allowed him to put things in perspective.
“When I was a freshman, I told myself, ‘Hey, I want to go to the NFL, play in the NFL and show everybody what I can do,’” Garrett said. “I’ve been working extremely hard – especially this year coming off the injury. I had to make sure I had everything back, because this was really the last chance I had to show everybody what I could do. This year has meant a lot to me. I’m grateful for all of the things that have happened for me. Everything’s worked out so far.”
Now, Garrett will try to put the finishing touches on his college career by helping the Golden Hurricane (6-6) to their first bowl win since 2012.
“It feels like I’ve been here forever,” Garrett said. “I am going to miss it, though. I’ve made a lot of friends. It’s a place I’ll never forget. Playing college football was a great experience.”
