The senior will get another chance to be on a big stage
The Senior Bowl is the most prestigious post-collegiate bowl and can really help a prospects [autotag]NFL Draft[/autotag] status. We have seen plenty of [autotag]Senior Bowl[/autotag] participants rise up on teams draft boards, especially due to the fact that NFL teams will have full access to those players for a week of practices, interviews and of course, the game.
Ohio State has sent some of their best seniors to the game (last year [autotag]Jeremy Ruckert[/autotag], [autotag]Haskell Garrett[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyreke Smith[/autotag]) and this year defensive end [autotag]Zach Harrison[/autotag] will represent the Buckeyes in Mobile, Alabama. It should be a very prosperous week for the senior, as Harrison should test very well and has an impressive physique.
Even though Harrison knows where he will play his final snaps in college, he would still like to play in at least two more games before heading off to Alabama.
Haskell Garrett will hope to find a new home in the NFL before the season kicks off.
Haskell Garrett was a fan favorite in his four years at Ohio State. How could anyone not love his work ethic and passion for the game? I mean, the guy got shot in the face protecting a female in distress only to return to action a few weeks later. That, folks, is an athlete you can look up to and admire.
Garrett returned for his senior year after a stellar junior campaign for the Buckeyes on the defensive line. His senior season wasn’t as spectacular as he dealt with nagging injuries. However, most thought the lovable big man would get a chance in the NFL.
Garrett was not be selected in the draft, but he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans soon after. Unfortunately, Garrett’s time with Tennessee has come to an end. He was released by the team on Tuesday.
The @Titans have parted ways with five players, including WR Josh Malone and RB Jordan Wilkins.
Also waived: DL Haskell Garrett, DB Deante Burton, OL Carson Green.
There is somewhat of a silver lining to this story. Since he was released early in the preseason, Garrett has a good chance of being picked up by another team. Injuries happen all the time in the NFL and teams are always looking for depth on the roster.
And who wouldn’t want a guy in the locker room that will literally take a bullet for the guy next to him?
Shaun Calderon lists seven under-the-radar Titans players to watch during the preseason.
Although it’s only the preseason, the Tennessee Titans finally play football this week when they travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens on Aug. 11 at M&T Bank Stadium.
These exhibition games are largely seen as irrelevant to the casual football fan; however, the preseason has several intriguing storylines that go well beyond the scoreboard.
This article is going to identify seven players who aren’t exactly stealing the headlines, but may end up stealing a roster spot when it’s all said and done.
The majority of the players on this list will likely be playing a ton in the coming weeks. Truth be told, a lot of these players are probably competing to stick around via a spot on the practice squad more than anything else.
Nonetheless, there are always those hidden gems every year who sneak their way onto the final 53-man roster.
It should be noted that rookies who were recently selected in the 2022 NFL Draft were excluded from this list since they naturally garner a ton of attention in the preseason.
With all that said, let’s take a look at which under-the-radar players we should be keeping a close eye on in preseason games over the coming weeks.
Recapping where every former Buckeye landed after the NFL draft. #GoBucks
The 2022 NFL Draft is now in the books and a number of former Ohio State Buckeyes heard their name called and a few more either earned undrafted free agent contracts or were invited to minicamps. With all of the excitement coming to an end, it feels like a good time to recap where every former Ohio State Buckeye has landed in the NFL.
It should come as no surprise that both Ohio State receivers were selected in the first round, but it was a tad surprising to see some familiar names fall so far down the board, but perhaps that should have been expected given the disappointing season. Let’s break down where every former Buckeye landed.
The Cowboys have a history of using hybrid interior defensive linemen. Is the Ohio State prospect a consideration to do just that? Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) takes a closer look.
With two recent draft picks in Neville Gallimore and Osa Odighizuwa already on the roster, the Cowboys may not be looking for any more pure three-technique prospects in this iteration of the NFL draft. They very well may opt for a player that gives them position flexibility along the defensive line. Dallas covets players who are able to fill multiple roles on their team. So what about a player who can fill both one-technique and three-technique?
Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett was highly regarded coming out of high school, where he attended the power-house Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. He earned four-star honors and decided to choose Ohio State as his college. In 2020 he was a first-team All-American by CBS Sports, and was a 2021 pre-season All-American. So does he fit with the Cowboys? Let’s dive into the film to find out.
Former Ohio State football defensive lineman Haskell Garrett shares details of a night that could have been so much worse when he was shot.
Absolutely no one can question Haskell Garrett’s toughness and determination. While there have been few details, most Ohio State fans will remember Garrett being shot in the face in early August before the 2020 season and returning to play in the Buckeye’s first game.
The Ohio State defensive lineman hasn’t talked much about the incident but with the NFL draft approaching, Garrett made an appearance on the NFL Network and was asked about the shooting. To hear how it all played out in his own words is fascinating, to say the least. The young man is truly fortunate to be alive, let alone be able to play the game he loves.
Listen to Garrett’s own words as he spoke with the hosts of Good Morning Football.
What an incredible story of heroism and helping someone in need. And that folks, is one of the many reasons Haskell Garrett will always be a fan favorite and a legend of the scarlet and gray.
There’s no top-10 talent this draft class, but that doesn’t mean the impact 3-tech is scarce in 2022. @TimLettiero finds a handful of hopefuls to add to the Cowboys’ pass rush.
Dallas has had inconsistent play from their interior defensive line play for a while now. This impact is felt from the 3-tech position in even fronts or the 5-tech position in odd fronts where their main duties are to either gap control or get after the QB. Given the hybrid system of Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, this has the likes of DTs Neville Gallimore, Trysten Hill, Carlos Watkins, Osa Odighizuwa and DE DeMarcus Lawrence all play both roles effectively.
Although these players contributed a fair amount last season, Dallas still lacks a dominant force up the middle to get after the QB. This draft class may not have top-tier talent coming from the interior, but has plenty of guys who have heaps of talent and potential. Here are a few names to look out for when Dallas is on the clock each day of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler introduces his 7 round mock draft and provides the Detroit Lions with strong core players
The NFL draft is just a couple of weeks away, and everyone is trying to finalize what each team could do, which means mock drafts are plentiful. The latest mock draft comes from one of the most respected draft minds in the industry, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who recently released his annual draft guide “The Beast,” which is highly recommended.
He gives a crack at the possible draft haul for each team in his seven-round mock, and below are the players he decided to bestow to the Detroit Lions.
2: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
32: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
34: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
66: Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
97: Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri
177: Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Oklahoma State
181: Haskell Garrett, DT, Ohio State
217: Chris Paul, OT/G, Tulsa
234: Trestan Ebner, RB, Baylor
Walker has seen his draft skyrocket after he showcased his superior athletic traits and his versatility skillset along the defensive line, making him a popular selection lately for the Lions. Many have doubts due to his limited production, but considering how stacked the Georgia defense was, that is something that shouldn’t be a knock against him. He can be the type of player that can be a cornerstone player for the Lions defense for years to come.
Even the Lions have brought back nearly their entire receiving corps from last year, along with the addition of D.J. Chark; it shouldn’t take them out of the running for a receiver, hence Dotson’s selection. We have seen Dotson mocked to the Lions numerous times for a very good reason. He is another versatile player maker that can line up anywhere at receiver and be equally productive. He will fit right in with the Lions offense with his strong route-running ability and ball skills.
If there is any position the Lions must address in the draft is safety, they cannot walk away from the draft without potentially upgrading the position. The Lions did resign Tracy Walker and just signed DeShon Elliot, but the addition of Lewis Cine gives the Lions a three-headed monster in the deep field that will give opposing offenses fits. He is one of those do-it-all players that cover and defend the run, making him an excellent chess piece.
Brugler decides to give the Lions two linebackers in Chenal and Rodriguez and continues the trend of revamping the defense. Chenal is not the most fine-tuned linebacker in the class, but he makes up for it with his downhill thumper mentality and diagnoses plays on the fly. Rodriguez led Oklahoma State in tackles for three straight years after moving from safety to linebacker. He doesn’t have the ideal length for some teams at linebacker, but his football instincts are very strong, and he has a toughness that fits in with the culture Detroit is trying to build.
Evans brings a unique blend of athleticism and versatility due to his blend of superior length and speed that can make him an asset in the secondary. He may not have plays that some teams like, but this combination makes him an enticing prospect. Garrett was highly regarded coming out of high school, but unfortunately, he couldn’t put everything as many wanted to at Ohio State. He needs to improve his pass rush arsenal but can be quick in and out of blocks, has some strong burst, and can be a rotational piece.
We flip the script with the last two picks and address the offense with the selections of Paul and Ebner. You can never have enough versatile linemen, and that is exactly what Paul brings to the table. He played mostly left tackle at Tulsa, but he projects better as a guard due to his lack of movement skills. Ebner is the type of player the Lions can develop into an offensive weapon with his pass-catching ability and special team’s prowess. He won’t make strictly off just running backs but provides a set of skills that make him a dangerous player.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Ohio State defensive line prospect Haskell Garrett
It’s hard to find a player in the 2022 NFL draft with more spirit than Ohio State defensive lineman Haskell Garrett.
A two-year starter with an aggressive edge on the field, Garrett’s passion and determination translates to how he acts off the field.
In August of 2020, Garrett suffered a gunshot wound to the face after breaking up a fight, but was back on the football field just two months later, and even had a sack in his first game back.
Now, as Garrett prepares to continue his football career at the next level, he looks to serve as a leader and a tenacious, run-stuffing defender, like he was during his time with the Buckeyes.
Draft Wire had the chance to speak exclusively with Garrett about his journey to where he is today, his Polynesian heritage, his experience at the Senior Bowl, and much more.
JI: It’s been an incredible road for you getting to this point, including a gunshot wound to the face, and making an incredibly quick recovery. How was that recovery process, and did you know you’d be able to not only return so soon, but to play as well as you did?
HG: I was just very grateful surviving it, and for the medical, the first responders and all the MEs. But when it was told to me that our season was back on and that I had a chance to play in the first game, I did whatever was possible. [In] my recovery process, I had two major surgeries on my mouth, and underwent a bone graft in my jaw. I wasn’t allowed to have any physical contact in football practice, so I just really had to take it slow and let my body heal.
At the same time I was training, it was a different type of training; instead of training physically, I had to train mentally and really become surgical fine tune student of the game. [It] was a different a different aspect and take in terms of getting to the first game and just grinding it out, allowing myself to heal.
JI: You were named the 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. What does that award mean to you, being able to represent your heritage?
HG: It means the world, going back and just reminiscing…how much that really means to me. I told everybody, I couldn’t really care less about all the All-American awards and all those types of deals, but to be honored and recognized as one of the top Polynesian players in college football, just how small of a community being Polynesian and having that background, is just truly an honor: a real recognition of who I am not only as a person on the field, but a person off the field. I was very proud and blessed to be named Polynesian Player of the Year. It really meant a lot to me and meant the world, and [it’s] something I’m truly proud of.
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
JI: Playing at a school like Ohio State, you’ve had a college experience that few players in this class can match. What would you say was your favorite moment at OSU?
HG: I would for sure say it was beating Clemson in the 2020 Sugar Bowl. It was just kind of those little rivalries you have with schools throughout the years; not only just our rivalry with the team up north [Michigan], but the rivalry we kind of had with that school and how we always battled back and forth. We knew how much we put into that game and how much it meant to not only the team, but also the fanbase. Having to go through them and what we dealt with in 2020, in terms of COVID, in terms of not seeing your parents, just being very secluded and isolated to just the game and never really taking any break, was just remarkable; what we achieved not only personally, but what we achieved as a group and as a team.
JI: Would you say the guys you went up against every day in practice helped out your development?
HG: I feel that it played a tremendous part in my development, not only as a person, but an athlete and a player. You get asked a lot, “Who are the best guys who’ve gone against?”, and [it’s] truly to be said that the guys that were on my team. You get guys like, terms of alignment standpoint, you get guys like Billy Price, Wyatt Davis, Josh Myers, Jonah Jackson, Thayer Munford, Isaiah Prince, Jamarco Jones. You get guys like that you’re going against year-in and year-out, your skill set is bound to get better, because iron sharpens iron, we truly believe that at Ohio State. [That’s] why it’s such a great university, because we practice against the best.
JI: You had the chance to go down to the Senior Bowl recently. How was that experience?
HG: It was great. I’m happy I was able to [go] and I was, like I said, very blessed to and honored to be recognized and to have been able to receive an invite and go compete against the best. It was truly awesome not only getting to know guys from different schools, also seeing guys that you haven’t seen years that you saw in high school and during the recruiting process, and then seeing again during this process. But also just going against competition, playing ball and seeing just different techniques throughout college football, and then getting a taste of what it’s going to be like when you get to the next level, how to manage your time as being a professional. In college, you have the the school aspect of it, but now, it’s not only a game and a love and a passion, but now it’s a job. You get a taste for that aspect and the reality of it.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
JI: If you had to choose, what’s your go-to move or combo of moves once you reach the point of attack?
HG: I work everything off of a long arm. Everything is based off of a long arm, and I use my speed and my power to complement it. Everything else is counter moves. It’s basically [like] if you’re building a house and you say you know his base, my base is my long arm. A lot of guys want to say want to talk about finesse and whatnot. Well, you can’t finesse unless you show strength, so I’d say my go-to is a long arm.
JI: Which defensive linemen have you grown up idolizing?
HG: Growing up, I’d watch guys like Haloti Ngata, Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, guys like that. Just how violent you have to play the game at the next level. It’s truly why I base my game off of who I watched, and nowadays, you got the Aaron Donalds, the Ndamukong Suhs and people like that, but really just watching how like generation after generation of defensive lineman, the greats play with violence. They also have technique, and technique is a great thing, but you have to play the game violently being a defensive lineman because you’re in a fight every play, all day long. Those are the guys that I idolized and watched growing up.
JI: How do you like to spend your free time outside of football?
HG: It really depends. I’m actually right now in Montana, just enjoying the wildlife at my godparents’ home here, just kind of resting my body, healing from the Reese’s [Senior] Bowl. Other than that, I like to wake surf. I’m [a] very outdoors kind of guy. I like to play video games, and I like to do kind of bit of everything. My thing is just being outdoors and being around nature.
JI: Let’s say I’m an NFL general manager. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?
HG: What you should be getting is a competitor, somebody who takes his job very seriously, has a high football IQ, and ultimately wants to do anything that he can do possibly to bring the organization a Super Bowl.
Tyreke Smith got a little face time on national television with a sack in the Senior Bowl. #GoBucks
Just when you thought you had seen the last of college football, along comes the Reese’s Senior Bowl like it does this time every year. It’s one last chance for outgoing seniors to compete against some of the best in college football both in practice and the game down in Mobile, Alabama.
There always seems to be a few Ohio State players taking part in all of the fun, and we’ve seen some guys significantly improve their draft stock by showing out during the weeklong practices and game (insert Terry McLaurin and hit play).
This year, defensive linemen Tyreke Smith and Haskell Garrett, along with tight end Jeremy Ruckert put their silver helmets on one more time to represent themselves and Ohio State. At the end of the day, Smith and Garrett helped their National team to a 20-10 win, but the highlight of the day from both came when Smith gobbled up the American quarterback, Malik Willis, and brought him down for a sack late in the first quarter.
Now it’s on to the 2022 NFL draft where both players are projected to be mid to late-round picks. We’ll have to see if their performances in the Senior Bowl helped their draft value when the annual spectacle takes place in April.
