Although he went undrafted, Haskell Garrett will get an opportunity to play in the NFL.
The former Buckeye defensive tackle agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans shortly after the draft concluded on Saturday.
God has a plan for me, I appreciate all the love and support BuckeyeNation!!! Got the biggest chip on my shoulder more than ever. Blessed to be a Tennessee Titan!! #TitanUp
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett) April 30, 2022
Although Garrett was projected to be selected as early as the third or fourth round of the draft, he did not hear his name called as one of the 262 picks in the 2022 NFL draft, in which six Buckeyes were selected: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Jeremy Ruckert, Tyreke Smith and Thayer Munford.
Nevertheless, Garrett will have a chance to compete for a roster spot, and going undrafted is far from the first time he’s had to overcome adversity to achieve his goals.
A five-year veteran at Ohio State, Garrett was one of college football’s greatest stories of the 2020 season when he earned a full-time starting role for the first time just months after he was shot in the face while attempting to break up a domestic dispute, an incident he opened up about in detail on NFL Network this week.
“I wasn't about to let something like this distract me or get me off course from something that was destined for me, and that was to be a starting defensive tackle for The Ohio State,” Garrett said. “So I was more determined than ever.”
Garrett went on to become an All-American for the Buckeyes that season, recording four tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception for a touchdown in just eight games to help lead Ohio State to the national championship game.
Garrett returned for a fifth-year senior season in 2021, leading the Buckeyes with 5.5 sacks and racking up seven total tackles for loss. Garrett also had another defensive touchdown, scooping up a fumble caused by Zach Harrison to score on the other end of the field in a season-opening win at Minnesota.
The Bishop Gorman product and Las Vegas native was named first-team All-Big Ten and Polynesian Player of the Year for his efforts in 2021, and now moves on to the next level, where he’ll hope to carve out a role in the Titans’ defensive tackle rotation despite his surprising slide out of the draft.
Garrett becomes the second member of Ohio State’s 2021 draft class to join the Titans along with Petit-Frere, who they selected in the third round with the No. 69 overall pick.
