A grin comes across Terrence Garrett’s face as he recalls discovering broadcast journalism his senior year of high school. But mention football and that grin quickly turns into a broad smile as Garrett shares in his soft voice one of the biggest journeys of his life.
“Ever since I was little I always liked football,” Garrett said. “The first time I picked up a ball I used to keep it with me and always be seen with it. I never put it down.”
Garrett got his first chance in seventh grade when he eagerly tried out for the team with high hopes.
“After sitting on the bench, in eighth grade I knew if I got a shot I was gonna do something with it and I got my opportunity,” Garrett said.
Not only did Garrett receive an opportunity, but he ran with it in a way that brought his name to the forefront of high school football. His sophomore year he was a starter for the Wynne Yellow Jackets and helped make them state champions.
The list of titles Garrett was awarded seems to go on forever. He was All-State, All-Conference, named Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sophomore of the Year and was on the Sports Illustrated’s All-American team.
“It was a lot thrown at me at once,” Garrett said. “I wasn’t expecting any of that. Basically what it did to my social status was boom. But I didn’t play football for the glory, I play it for the game.”
Garrett’s junior year was similarly spectacular as Wynne won another state championship, and Garrett received All-State and All-Conference again.
“My junior year was probably the best year of my life,” Garrett said. “Football went well. I started to be a name. I delivered on the football field again. I just had a lot of fun.”
The next year the challenges began as Garrett faced built up pressure and multiple injuries, as well as other responsibilities like being student body president.
“I remember an outstanding amount of pressure from the previous two years,” Garrett said. “My best friend [Terrence Boykin] helped ease some of the pressure because he’d gotten some of the same stuff. But before the season I learned he’d torn his ACL, so it was all on me.”
Garrett struggled through the first few games, himself suffering from a hurt ankle. When Boykin returned to the field things seemed to be looking up until Garrett found himself in the middle of a game doing just that.
“I remember when it happened I couldn’t move,” Garrett said. “It was horrible, I felt this stinging feeling and I knew something was wrong.”
In a tackle gone wrong Garrett found himself with a sprained neck and was carted off the field. Because of the injury he missed three of his senior games.
“I was supposed to go to some big Division I college,” Garrett said. “But after this I didn’t have anything going my way.”
Garrett recovered in time for his last state championship, in which Wynne finished second. And that was the end of his high school football career. Letters from state colleges that he used to receive stopped coming and Garrett was left to weigh his options.
“I had to refocus myself and think smaller,” Garrett said. “It was really hard to deal with that, but I feel like God led me here [to Ouachita].”
Coach J. R. Eldridge, defensive coordinator and inside linebacker’s coach, recruited Garrett from Wynne. He liked what he saw at first and Garrett has not let him down.
“I noticed a couple of things upon first meeting Terrence,” Eldridge said. “First, he had a firm handshake and looked me in the eye when he spoke, which led me to believe that he was a confident young man. Second, he answered yes and no questions with a sir following the yes or no, which caused me to think that he was respectful and had a good solid family background.”
Garrett’s first year with the Tigers was fairly quiet, but his sophomore years seem to be key. As a starter leading the team in tackles and third in the Gulf South Conference, Garrett is aiming for All-Conference. The coaches are equally impressed with his character.
“The two most important things that T.P. brings to our team are his positive energy and his character,” Eldridge said. “He will continue to elaborate on his leadership skills, become an even better linebacker and exemplify solid character for younger players to model themselves after.
Through it all, the ups and downs of every year and every season, Garrett remains humble and thankful.
“I’ve been really blessed in my life having dealt with a lot of struggles,” Garrett said. “I can’t complain about anything, because I’ve had more ups compared to downs.”
