Kevin Garrett prepares to leave Hilltop for NFL

Kevin Garrett has spent the last four seasons as a standout cornerback for the Ponies’ football team. In that time, “KG” has excelled both on and off the field, but now it is time for him to shift focus and prepare for life in the NFL.

Garrett made an immediate impact at SMU in his first game as a Mustang. He broke up two passes against the Arkansas Razorbacks. This auspicious start was only the beginning as “KG” would go on to earn such honors as WAC freshman defensive player of the year by the Fort Worth Star Telegram, WAC honorable Mention and Second Team All-WAC.

His performance in the classroom seemed to mirror his excellence on the field. Graduating in the top ten percent of his high school class, he will continue his success by graduating on time with a double major in marketing and psychology.

“KG” now begins the transition to the NFL.

“I will miss the people I have come in contact with,” Garrett said, “but it is time for me to move on in my life and meet more people.”

Garrett helped his draft status immensely by running the fastest time at the NFL combines, a speedy 40 yards in 4.31 seconds. He edged out fellow cornerback and projected top five overall pick, Kansas State’s Terrance Newman who ran a 4.34.

Due to his impressive showing at the combine and a solid performance in the Senior Bowl, many analysts project “KG” to be drafted anywhere from the late first round to early in the third round. While analysts’ words are far from doctrine, it would be a major surprise if he weren’t selected on the first day of the two-day draft.

Despite all the hype, Garrett is able to keep everything in perspective.

“You start little league football with hopes and dreams of making it to the highest level,” Garrett said. “Now, I have finally been blessed with the opportunity to do it and I hope to excel.”

NFL aspirations are nothing more than a dream to the vast majority of people, but Garrett won’t even be the first member of his family to make it in the NFL. Garrett’s cousin, Quinton Jammer is a former Texas Longhorn standout at cornerback and was the fifth overall selection in the 2002 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers.

When asked about the prospect of playing on the same team as Jammer, Garrett welcomed the possibility.

“It would be exciting. I would love to play knowing I had family on the other side of the field,” Garrett said.

For Garrett, the time is now. It is time to take what he learned on the Hilltop and apply it to the cutthroat life that undoubtedly awaits him in the NFL. If the past is any indication of his future, success is a foregone conclusion.