Jaden Garrett, Durant’s star defensive back will have to miss his senior season with a recently torn ACL and meniscus. But Garrett, who had a successful surgery on Thursday, Aug. 4, is committed to staying positive and working to keep colleges interested in having him on their rosters next year.
You’re pretty fresh out of surgery. What’s the timeframe for your recovery?
They said in six months, I’ll be feeling like my normal self. But a full recovery will take nine to 12 months.
I’ve seen a few schools stand by you through the injury and keep their commitments. Which schools are you still talking to?
Right now, it’s five schools still talking to me. Georgia Southern, FIU and Buffalo gave me three official scholarships. Ohio and Middle Tennessee are still talking to me.
What are you looking for in a program?
Just a place that makes me feel like I’m at home. All the coaches are well respected and have respect for me. Coaches that care for my injuries and don’t try to rush me back. I want to feel like the team is one big family.
Any idea what your physical rehab program will look like?
My strength and conditioning coach at Durant has torn his ACL twice. He said to “get ready for a roller coaster.”
What are you going to do during the season?
The coaches want me on the sidelines, helping the DBs. It’s a young group this year. I don’t think any of them have played on the varsity level, so the coaches want my experience helping out on the sideline. I’ll be glad to do that.
Were you working with them before surgery?
Before the surgery, I was out there helping them out. I’ve had one DB come by and tell me how it’s going. I’m close with the DBs. I just tell them to keep up their efforts out there. I’m just trying to help out our DB coach.
What’s the most important thing you’ve told them?
Don’t let the big plays get you. The big plays will happen, but you’ve just got to move on to the next play and come back stronger.
How do you feel about Durant’s chances this year, even though you won’t be on the field?
I feel like this year could be a lot stronger. We had a strong year last year that ended, kind of, on a bad streak. But I think we could finish stronger than last year and, hopefully, come out with a district championship.
Do you know what you want to major in when you get to college?
I want to major in mass communications. I’d like to be a broadcaster, like on ESPN, analyzing football games.
What’s your favorite class in Durant?
I’m in the journalism class. I feel like that’s getting me ready for what I’m about to major in.
I see your brother, JJ Garrett, covering your games for the Tampa Bay Times every time I’m out there. Did he get you into journalism?
That’s pretty much how I got interested. I saw him on the sidelines on Friday nights, and I read his stories. It’s pretty cool. I never thought that I would get recruited in this, so I always had a backup plan.
Broadcast journalism is pretty different from what JJ’s doing. What makes you want to go that route?
I feel like I’m more of a vocal person. I like to be speaking, rather than writing. I like to be on the scene, on TV.
What sport have you not tried before but would if you could?
I’ve been watching the Olympics, and this handball sport is really cool. This is my first year actually seeing it.
Who’s your favorite athlete of all time?
Sean Taylor.
If you go pro in football one day, what team would you want to play for?
I’m a hometown guy, so I’d like to stay down in Florida and play for the Bucs.
You get that first big paycheck as a pro. What’s the first thing you buy?
I would buy a house for my mom. She’s just taught me to stay humble. She raised me as a single parent, so I just have to get her something first for everything she’s done for me.