The Yellow & Blue Podcast | Garret Greenfield | S1E1

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Garret Greenfield is a former left tackle for the South Dakota State University football team. Now, he's taking his passion for the sport to the next level, looking to become drafted into the National Football League. He's spent the last six years building up his résumé, including team captain, two-time FCS National Champion and advertising graduate. He received invites to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the 2024 NFL Combine, where he posted a record vertical jump amongst offensive linemen. In this episode of "The Yellow & Blue Podcast," Greenfield speaks about his love for this university, the Brookings community, family and football. Learn more about his dream of playing in the NFL.

Transcript:
 
One of those, drills you posted a 38.5 vertical jump, a record among offensive linemen
in the NFL, competing in the combine.
 
38.5 – feet?
 
Inches – no
 
Not feet, no.
 
My vertical is like 6 inches. Like, it’s nothing.
 
Hello Jackrabbits Nation. My name is Heidi Bushong, and this is the Yellow and Blue Podcast. We've got a special guest in studio today. He's a former left tackle for the SDSU football team, an alum of the 605 Hogs, No. 74, Garret Greenfield. Thank you so much for being here today, Garret.
 
Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for having me on. Excited to be here.
 
So everyone's dying to know what have you been up to?
 
Yeah, it's been a pretty busy few months since, you know, the championship game. I feel like I - we were on the stage celebrating then I blinked and then now I'm here so, so we won the game, obviously. And that was on a Sunday. And then Monday morning, I met my agents in the lobby and, you know, signed all the paperwork and stuff to move forward. And then, it's that same morning. I drove over to Fort Worth, Texas, where I, I got to my training facility. And then Tuesday morning, I was right into training full time. So, you know, kind of went pretty quick after the game was done, and I was there for, up until the Combine. And then after the Combine was done, I came back up to, Brookings here. And I've just been working out, with Coach Jacobs and the strength program here at SDSU. Just working out and kind of, you know, waiting to see what happens, um just staying ready for, these next few weeks. 
 
Yeah, for sure. So you were in Texas for a good amount of time then? 
 
I was, yeah. And I just, I stayed down there after the game obviously, for until about the, middle of March so.
 
That's a long time. So, not that you may have a ton of downtime right now while you're training, to hopefully be drafted in the NFL Draft. What do you like to do in your free time?
 
I like to be outdoors. I like golfing a lot. I like to hunt on my free time, too. It's kind of tough just with how busy I am, it's hard to get out as much as I’d like to. I really like enjoying time with my family, because, you know, football takes up so much of my time. So anytime I get to be with them, you know, I'm an uncle, too. I have, you know, little nieces and nephews so, you know, love hanging out with them and just, really being with them. Spend as much quality time as I can with them. 
 
Yeah, absolutely. Because things very well could change here in the next week or so. Football really has taken you on a journey. You've been here at SDSU for six years now. Why did you choose football? What do you love about the game?
 
I mean, honestly, ever since I was a kid, it was, you know, something that was big in my family. You know, every Sunday we'd, you know, the NFL would be on from my time. We got home from church. So, you know, when we went to bed. So, it's just always something I loved. We're a big sports family. My, my older brother played it, too. And, you know, he’s six years older than me, so I just always thought, you know, watching him do it. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.
 
It just it just brings you with so many great people and, just the, the feeling that it gives you and the friendships that you make is what I love about it the most.
 
Yeah, absolutely because you played multiple sports, but you ultimately picked football. 
 
Yeah. Football had always been my favorite. Everything else kind of, you know, came after that one. But, football was always what I loved to do the most. 
 
Yeah, absolutely. And I know football was probably part of the reason why you came to SDSU, but you graduated with a degree in advertising. We're here recording in Yeager Media Center. You’ve probably walked by this room hundreds of times. What was your favorite part about going to school here? 
 
There's a lot of things, but I think more than anything, it was just the people. You know, everywhere you go, you know, just on campus or you go off campus, everybody just, you know, so nice. And everybody loves the Jackrabbits, and I made so many, you know, lifelong connections and friends here that, that's just, that’s what made it such a special place to me. And it's really become, you know, another home to me. 
 
Yeah, absolutely. Was there a favorite class or, like, a favorite professor you had here?
 
Yeah, um I just saw him in the hallway, you know, before walking in here, with I don't remember what the exact name of the class was, was our capstone with, Marina Hendricks and Roxanne Lucchesi. And, that was just a fun class, because, you know, it wasn't really school work. It kind of felt like we were, you know, working a job. So, you know, a little more freedom, and I just, you know, remember in the first day, you know, everybody kind of, you know, sat side apart and, like, didn't really know each other. Then by the end of the semester, like, we were all kind of sad. The semester was over and we wouldn't be, you know, seeing each other as much anymore. So I’d say that would be my favorite class.
 
Yeah, it really kind of prepares you for like, a career in advertising or what it's like to pitch to clients. 
 
Yeah, it was fun. It was a lot of fun.
 
When you were being recruited, the other reason why you probably picked SDSU, what stood out to you about this place?
 
I had kind of a short recruiting journey, honestly. This is my first offer and it happened, like, very early in my junior year of high school — like early March.
 
And Coach Stig called me, like, on a Sunday, and I think I committed like the less than a week after that or 10 days after that or something. So, I came on a visit here, a junior day in like, late February, my junior year of high school, and it was just that gut feeling you have right away. I really can't describe it. Just everything just felt right and felt like, you know, it'd be something I could fit in, at. And, all the coaching staff, all just felt so genuine, and, you know, just at the end day it was just that gut feeling that, you know, I don't really need to look anywhere else. You know, this is where I am supposed to be.
 
When you, like, commit to going to a place, is it, like, one of those things where you don't want to seem too eager? You don't want to, like, call back the next day? Like he had to wait a little bit.
 
Yeah. I mean, you know, looking back, I might have, I probably did it wrong because I think you're like, if you want to, you can, you know, leverage kind of some of that stuff. But, you know, I think I was probably overly anxious to commit like, I didn't even know they said they would give me a scholarship, but I didn't know for how much or anything like that. So and I just called them and told them I was coming. So yeah, I don't know if I helped myself out there right away, but I think they could tell I was eager to come here, and I think they knew they had a pretty good shot of getting me so.
 
Good deal for both parties.
 
Yeah, I mean it worked out ok now, obviously, but yeah, probably didn’t, probably not the best business handling on my end there at the start.
 
It’s OK. You’ve got that stuff for later. So you were you were one of the rare people in Jackrabbit history to have six years of eligibility. And you were on the offensive line, a member of a pretty special group on campus called the 605 Hogs. For people who may not know what that is, what is it?
 
So, 605 is obviously the area code for South Dakota. So, we kind of use that as a way to brand ourselves. So, the six is for 60 minutes, you know, the full game of, you know, all your effort and all your focus, zero – zero excuses, and then five is all five O-linemen playing as one, because it's you know, it's there's five people are meant to do one position. So, you got to be on the same page as everybody else. And then the hogs, it's always been a term for O-linemen. And then, you know, there's just we're going to do the dirty work and we don't really need any recognition or credit or praise from, you know, anybody else. We know that, you know, we're happy to do the dirty work and get the job done.
 
I never realized like, that much went into the name.
 
Yeah.
 
No, there was a whole thing behind it was coach Eck, back he started that like, I think a year after he got here or something. He's at the University of Idaho now, but he is the one who kind of came up with that. And that was kind of how we started to brand ourselves afterwards. 
 
Would you define it like, also like as, like a brotherhood? I mean, you guys really got to work together.
 
Yeah, absolutely.
 
I mean, I, you know, I might be biased obviously, but I think we were probably one of the closest position groups in the whole on the whole team just because, of how important it is that we're, we're a cohesive unit. And, you know, we just we got along so well, you know, we were all super close. We hung out all the time outside of football. And then obviously all the time you spend together with them during football as well so. 
 
Yeah, for sure. Out of your first four seasons here, you started out as right tackle.
 
Yep.
 
And then you shifted to the left, which obviously you know got two national championships in those years. What was that transition like? Was it hard to adjust?
 
Yeah, I mean it was a little tricky. Probably more so than I had originally thought it was going to be. Just because everything you know, I'd been doing one thing for so long, and all of a sudden I just had to flip it and everything was, you know, kind of backwards. So, you know, I got the hang of it, but it probably took a little longer than I, you know, thought it would just, really feeling comfortable over there and getting used to it. But, I mean, just with anything, you know, the more I did it, the better I felt at it.
 
You went four seasons being a right tackle to the left side. What's the major difference between the right and left? 
 
It's just everything is, you know, inverse of what it was on the other side. So, you know, on your right side, you're you're right in your stance, like, your right foot's behind you and like the main hand, you're using is your right hand. And then you go to the left side and your left foot's behind you your using left hand mostly. So, it's just it's all the same movement. But again, it's everything's flipped, you know, opposite of what I had been so used to doing for, you know, up to four years at that point. So, you know, it felt a little, little goofy at first. But, you know, it's just the more I did it, the better I felt at and, you know, more reps equal more, comfortability with it.
 
Yeah. For sure. When you made that switch or even throughout your time here, did you train at different camps? Did you meet different NFL players? Like what was kind of your mantra there?
 
Yep, so I mean, there was a couple times, I went to a camp in Minneapolis, this last summer before the 2023 season. I learned a lot there. That was, you know, very beneficial. And, you know, there was, like, offensive lineman, kind of conference down in Frisco, Texas that, you know, I had attended, two summers in a row. So just, you know, I everything I could do outside of what we were already doing to kind of learn more about it and, you know, give myself more information on, you know, how to make things easier, trying different techniques or stuff like that, just because it's such a complex position, there's so much you can do with it. And it's something you can always try to learn more about. And, you know, it's just like, with anything, you have to, you know, stay on your toes and, you know, always be learning something new. And you never get content with where you're at and, be willing to try new stuff.
 
Last two seasons at left tackle, it's been a really big trajectory for you. As we said earlier, since you switched to that side. You had a perfect season, two national championships. What has that been like in that, like, contrast? You know, you're finally getting to the places where you guys have been wanting to go.
 
Yeah, it's, it's special. I don't really know how else to describe it. I mean, it's just to be a part of history and, you know, so much history that, you know, has been going on these last two years and, you know, all the success that we've had and, just, like the class and all the guys I got to do it with, you know, that have been here for so long and, poured so much into the program. And like all the coaches who, have worked tirelessly for, you know, how many years to, you know finally get this program to, you know, what they always thought it could be.
 
And you know what everybody thought it could be, to be to be part of the team that, you know, gets it done and then gets it done again and, you know, wins 29 games in a row and gets the first perfect season ever. And, it's just it's incredibly special. But, you know, it wasn't by accident because, you know, like I said, there's been so many years of hard work from so many different people, you know, poured into this place to you know, keep taking it a step further every year.
 
Yeah, absolutely. You said your, you said that your recruitment journey was pretty short. You came to SDSU, really wanted to come here. Did you expect to achieve those kinds of things here when you first came here?
 
I mean, that was that was kind of my draw here, initially because, I mean, I was getting recruited by NDSU as well, but
 
Good choice.
 
Yeah, I know, obviously made the right choice there. My big thing was their whole recruiting pitch was like, you know, we're right there. We're going to like, we're almost we're getting ready to win a national championship. Like, that's the goal around here. And I guess in my eyes, I wanted, I wanted to be a part of that first one who got the job done, instead of going to North Dakota State where, you know, I had been done already before. I wanted to be part of, like, the ones who paved the way. And finally break through and, you know, get the first one in the school's history as opposed to, carrying on something that had been done before. I just thought there was a lot to be said for, you know, carving out your own tradition and, you know, creating that standard. And, you know, that's what that's what we accomplished.
 
I never really thought about it like that. Like why, why is that so special to you to be the first to set the standard. Like you go out there and raise the bar.
 
I just, I just think there's, you know, everybody remembers the, the people who got it done the first time. So, I mean, and there's, and there's obviously merit in, you know, carrying on the tradition that have been laid before you.
 
But, you know, because that's what we're relying on guys to do now, you know, all of us who have, you know, our time is up here. That's, you know, what we're expecting from everybody who comes through after us. But, you know, to be a part of the first group who gets it done is just, incredibly special. And, you know, that's one that, you know, nobody's ever gonna forget.
 
Yeah, I certainly won't forget it. I know you won't either. With that being said, first championship is done January 2023. You're one of those few people who will ever have a sixth year of eligibility. And you decided to come back. Why did you decide to come back?
 
I mean, there was a lot that went into it, but kind of the brass tacks of it all was I wanted, I couldn't, you know, say goodbye to such a special thing that easily. You know, all my best friends were still here, you know, and we knew we could, you know, turn around and do it all over again. And then, you know, ultimately, I wanted to, put myself in a better position for the draft, too. So, those are kind of the two biggest reasons. And I think that, you know, obviously both of those were accomplished.
 
You know, I kind of needed that sixth year to develop myself better and, you know, help myself out moving forward. But, yeah, the main thing was just, you know, you can't say no to being a part of something that special again. And I think going through everything in that sixth year was kind of in the back of your head. It's like, this is, you know, obviously COVID-19 was a horrible deal. And, you know, looking back at like at the time no one knew what was going on, but, you know, looking back at now it's you know, that whole extra year, that's something that nobody else in, you know, college sports has ever had before. So, just being very aware that this, this whole extra year was an incredible gift and, to not squander a minute of it because, you know, it's an opportunity, like I said, that not a lot of people have had before, if ever.
 
So, a whole extra year with, you know, to play college football and to be a part of another national championship team, and to spend a whole other year with all your friends and, you know, keep getting better when you know, that wasn't even, you know, I was supposed to be graduating by then and everything, so I just, I really just tried to, you know, live in the moment every single day. Soak it all in just because, you know, I knew it was a special time and a special thing to be part of.
 
Absolutely. Coming off of that first national championship win, it's kind of a different vibe. You know, you're defending, you're looking to go out and do it again. Like what, 22 of the 23 players were returning? It was so many, which probably was really encouraging for you to come back. Like, how did it feel to be the ones who were being hunted instead of going hunting?
 
No, it was definitely different. You know, when you're trying to get to the top of the mountain, as opposed to when you're on the top and, you know, you see all these other people gunning for what you have. So, yeah, it was definitely a huge shift of, you know, the first time to the second time. Like this last year, it was, you know, it was kind of a short celebration, honestly, like, because I think we started lifting in like a week or two after the championship game. So, you know, we got right back down to business right away. And, it was just a different set of expectations going into the 2023 season. You know, like nobody picked us to lose a game. It was like, yeah, there's, there's no way they're going to lose. It's, you know, might as well just wrap it up and give it to them now. Don't even bother playing in the games or anything like that. 
 
So that in of itself is its own, you know, huge distraction that, you know, we tried to combat and, you know, not letting any of this stuff outside noise, you know, seep into the locker room and, you know, what we were doing on a day-to-day basis and, you know, obviously looking at it now, we did a fantastic job of that. You know, we didn’t listen to, you know, all the stuff saying that, you know, we were just that much better than everybody else. We, we just kept attacking every day with that same hunger like we did the year before, and, you know, nobody acted like, you know, we had arrived or we had, we'd really accomplished anything, you know, we were just, that mature of a team. We were that hungry to do it again.
 
For sure. Reflecting on the past 2023 season, is there a game in your mind that kind of sticks out to you, or is it kind of like this one's down on to the next?
 
Yeah you know, I think we were just really focused on a week-to-week basis, but, I think the Montana State game was really big. You know, it was early in the season, you know, week two, you know.
 
Knew they were going to be huge.
 
Yeah, right. They were super good. They were very, very good team. And, you know, you know, week two is early in the year. You know, you're not, you know, you haven't reached the peak of how you should be performing at. So, you know, we still, were working through some stuff, but I really think that game just, you know, it wasn't like, shocking to us, but it just proved that, you know, no matter how we had to do it, that we were going to win every game we were in.
 
Yeah, for sure. I didn't know, like, if it was, it kind of seems like a week-to-week attitude, like, let's rock and roll, let's keep it moving. But you got to admit, there's some moments that, like, stick out in your mind.
 
Yeah. Like I think that was a big one. And you know, there's, there's just a lot of games like the Albany game, the semifinals, but, yeah, you know. When you're going through it, it's
very week to week, you know, you're not, worried about what had happened or anything coming up in the future, but being able to reflect on it now, there's a lot of special moments and, you know, just a lot of great memories.
 
I thought the Albany game was a super exciting game. I was here for it. I was like, let's go look at flights.
 
Yeah, right. That's what a lot of people before that game even happened, I had a bunch of family be like, asking about information for Frisco and stuff. I’m like guys, I can't talk about this with you.
 
Like go ask somebody else, please.
 
I'm not supposed to. I can't be doing that.
 
Let's talk about that a little bit. I mean, you guys just seem so, like, laser focused. Just with how the season went. How do you deal with all the outside stuff?
 
I mean, kind of like what I was referring to earlier. You know, the best way to just not listen to it and not give it any attention, you know, I think that's why we did such a great job of just because there was so much, you know, so much of it and, you know, just, you know, complacency is that's, that's the biggest enemy. And that's what we had always talked about. So, you know, nobody really gave it any, give it any energy or any focus and just kind of, you know, what the what, you know, all those other people that are doing their job and, you know, let them do their job and we're going to do ours and we'll see what happens by the end of the year. 
 
Absolutely. So the last time you ever put on an Jackrabbits jersey, to my knowledge, you were able to secure your second, second national championship title. Seems like same story, same place.Been here before. How did it feel that you guys accomplished what you had set out to do?
 
Yeah, it was definitely, it was an emotional day, for sure. Just, you know, kind of that whole week leading up to the game, just, you know, like I'd said, there are so many, guys that was going to be their last game. So I really think, what I alluded to earlier, like, I was just super in the moment, just enjoying everything from, you know, the flight, to the team meals to, you know, just all the meetings and everything. So, you know, to know that we got it done again, it was obviously an incredible feeling. And, you know, 15-0, completing the perfect season. But, you know, at the same time, I think a lot of us were sad that, you know, we were done, as Jackrabbits. And, you know, we weren't really, ready to give that part of our life up yet. But, you know, you know, time has to move on. And, you know, just if, if something has to end and then obviously there's you can't drop a better way for it. And then, you know how we did it. 
 
Absolutely. As you were kind of talking a little bit about the 605 Hogs, you know, you talked about those values, what that stood for. There was a lot of thought that went into it. That kind of goes to speak for the program overall. SDSU football has some very, very strong values. How have those, through your time, made you grow not only as a player, but also as a person?
 
Yeah. So our big thing, obviously, you know, you see it all over the place, is the last play. And, you know, you guys talked about.
 
Yeah. 
 
I'm glad I wore this today.
 
Yeah. We talked about how, you know, last play is a lifestyle and, you know, kind of the original meaning of is like, you know, if something was unfortunately to happen, you know, did you give your full effort, on that play, if you're, if that was going to be your last play ever. So, we talked about that as a lifestyle, and that's how you got to do everything, you know, with academics and, you know, how you treat people and how you go about your business. Everything should be that last play mentality. And, you know, all your values have to align with, you know, how you're doing everything you can't do. You know one thing half-heartedly, then do another thing whole-heartedly. So, you know, everything you do, you got to, you know, give it, give it your all and, pour everything you have into it and, you know, leave it better than you found it.
 
Is there anything else that you want to add about your time at SDSU? Anything about SDSU football?
 
Yeah. I mean, it's, there's just so much I could say about it. It was, you know, whatever experience of college football that I could have dreamt up, it was 10 times better than what I could have ever imagined. So, just how special everybody was, and, you know, all the great friends I made and just, the great coaching staff and, you know, everybody just, so many great people involved and, you know, but the medical staff and equipment staff and, you know, GAs, just, you know, everybody from top to bottom is just, you know, such great, great people to be around. And, just like I said, it made, made these last six years better than I could have ever imagined.
 
That's awesome. Because now you're looking To turn a new chapter in your life, one that we're all excited for that we're rooting for you. I don't know if you knew this statistic, but since 1939, 31 Jackrabbits have been drafted in the NFL.
 
I did not know that. 
 
Well, now you know. Yeah, I'm hoping to, you know, add a couple three more here with this draft class, if not more. Five of those players have been drafted in the last six years. Some of them, your former teammates. Which is pretty cool. What's it like coming to a school and being part of a team where, you know, you see your teammates competing in the NFL?
 
Yeah, I mean, it's pretty special. And, you know, obviously that's, you know what a lot of people grow up on to do. So, I think that just goes to show that, you know, if that's something you want to chase after, here South Dakota State can, can give you that opportunity, and there's more than enough resources to, to help you achieve that.
 
You know, it's, like I said, it's a special place. And, you know, if you're good enough that they're going to give you that opportunity and there's more than enough resources here at South Dakota State that can push you to where you want to go.
 
Yeah, absolutely. So, you're getting ready for that next step in your career. You've declared for the NFL draft. How have you been training? How have you been preparing for this? Is it a lot more intense?
 
No, it's you know, it's pretty similar stuff. You know, before the Combine and everything, you're, you know, you're focusing more on training for the drills and all the testing and stuff like that. You know, now that that's over, it's just kind of back into, you know, regular football training, you know, athletic movement and stuff like that. Strength-based, speed-based, everything like that. So, you know, there might be some differences, just depending on what, part of the journey you're at, but it's all pretty similar.
 
You said that you were training down in Fort Worth. What was that like? Did you have some to meet some of your teammates there with you?
 
No. So, that's, my agents have had, a lot of success sending people there. You know, some of their other clients they sent there and had good success there. So, I liked it a lot, you know, what a great and again, great people I was with, you know, great, speed coaches and strength coaches, everything like that. So I was very happy where I was at and, you know, there's no snow down there either, too. So, you know, the months I was there and, you know, unfortunately, I got back up here middle of March and, you know, there was a huge snowstorm.
 
So like the one snowstorm.
 
Yeah, I know, that's like, I called my mom a couple of times, and she's like, “Yeah, there's been no snow on the ground here for like weeks.” And then I get back up here and, you know, sure enough. So, I've been in the Midwest my whole life, so I know I couldn't miss out on snow for an entire year.
 
I don't know what about it is Rock Valley, you know, it's probably a completely different climate than Brookings, South Dakota, too. Honestly, it seems like it's always warmer down south.
 
It is, like it's weird. Even, even like, it's 90 minutes away. You go home as compared to here. It's always like five degrees colder and a little windier here. But a little more snow, too.
 
I love that. So tell me, what is this, pre-draft process been like? You said you had an agent. Like, did you, like, go and secure one on Monday, or do you have somebody in your ear?
 
No. Yeah, I kind of, you know, some of them reach out and, you know, before that, like, even as early as the summer, going through the season, just trying to, get to know each other a little bit better. So, you know, I kind of, kind of know what direction I wanted to go. You know, when it when it's time to make that decision. So, you know, I got to know them pretty good.
 
And, like I said, I felt really good about my decision when it was, time to make that decision.
 
So, Garret, you were one of three Jackrabbits to participate in the NFL Combine. Your teammate on the offensive line, Mason McCormick, was there, and so was Isaiah Davis, a running back for SDSU. Went to Indianapolis. Competed. What was that like? Like, so much pressure.
 
Yeah. Right. It was it was an incredible experience. And, you know, something I was very, glad to be a part of because, I mean, obviously growing up a huge football fan, like, every spring, I, you know, turn on the Combine and watch it,  you know, for as long as I can remember. So, to be a part of an event like that is just, kind of surreal, but, you know, at the same time, you know, I was there to, it was a big job interview. So I was there to perform, and I was there to, you know, handle business, so I couldn't get too caught up in, you know, all the everything else about it, you know, couldn’t just be happy to be there. You know, there's work to be done when we got there, but, it was a great experience. Everything's very well done, and, you know I met a lot of great guys, you know, and then again, just to be out there, to be there with Mason and Isaiah, to just have some familiar faces around, is super comforting and helpful. But, you know, a lot of, other great guys are out there too, from, you know, other schools. 
 
Sure. You said it's like a big job interview. You know, obviously people care about your performance, but like do, like, scouts, stop and ask you questions? Or how does that work?
 
Yeah. So there's, scouts there and coaches there. So, you know, you interview with them, a couple of times, throughout the week that you're there. And then there's, a lot of medical testing, and then obviously, the drills on the field, the what you see on TV. 
 
One of those, drills you posted a 38.5 vertical jump, a record among offensive linemen in the NFL, competing in the Combine. 38.5? Feet?
 
Inches, no, not feet, no.
 
My vertical is like 6 inches. It's like, it's nothing. What went through your mind when you posted that? Were you like, "Yes." Yeah. "Thank you."
 
Yeah. I mean, I didn't know, I didn't know what was a record. You know, after they announced it or anything, I was there's, you know, a couple of guys came up and told me like, "Hey, I think you like, just broke this record." Or whatever.
 
So I mean, I was I mean, honestly, I was like, "Oh, I mean, that's pretty cool." But, you know, obviously I was like one of the first things we did. So, I was, I, you know, I still had a lot of, a lot of other stuff I had to do and a lot of other work that, you know, I still had to get after. So, that's, I mean, that's really what was I was like, oh, I mean, that's pretty cool. You know,
I just kept going about my business because you know, I still had the whole day ahead of me and tons of testing and, drills ahead of me. So I just kind of, you know, took it
for what it was and just kept moving.
 
Expectations were high. 
 
Yeah. Right.
 
So the NFL, the 2024 NFL Draft is April 25th through 27th. Obviously you're going to be watching that. We're hoping that you get drafted. Do you have any plans?
 
No. Not really. I'm just going to, you know, be back home with my family and, you know, just, like, well, we will we'll be watching, obviously. And,  you know, just wait and see what happens and, you know, hopefully hear my name called.
 
Are there any mentors, anybody who you kind of look up to you?
 
Yeah. I just think, you know, me and my brother are very close. You know, he's done a lot for me. And, you know, just watching, you know, how hard he works for his family and, you know, stuff like that. Just, between him and my uncle, they really helped me out a lot.
 
And then also, my dad passed away, you know, four years ago. So, just kind of having the memory of him is I, you know, something that inspires me. And, you know, I was just trying to, you know, live like him and, you know, do the best I can, everything I do. So, you know, kind of just those three. But really just my family in general, just, you know, trying to, keep going and, you know, take this as far as possible because, you know, they've sacrificed a lot and, throughout my football career and, you know, for me to be in this position. So, you know, all of them are,  have been super helpful to me, and I just, you know, hope I can repay them. 
 
Love that. 
 
Go forward.
 
Love that. That's really nice. Any lessons that you're taking with you?
 
Yeah. I mean, like I said earlier you know, this place, does a great job of preparing you for,  you know, life after football. Obviously, all the lessons they teach you apply to football, but, obviously, also in life, you know, outside of football as well. So, you know, just to be, to be a good person to everyone you meet, and, you know, just whatever you're doing, you know, that have that last play mentality. You have to, you know, work hard at it and, you know, you can't just pick and choose what you want, you know, put your whole effort into, it's got to be everything. And, I think that's, that's a lesson that, you know, if people can really apply,
it'll serve them well, moving forward.
 
Thank you so much for being here today, Garret.
 
Absolutely. Thanks for having me on. I really enjoyed it.
 
We're wishing you the best of luck here. Hoping you, get drafted here in the NFL Draft, April 25th through the 27th. We'll be watching. So, yeah. Thank you so much. 
 
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