RECRUITING: Turning the Page

Tupelo (Miss.) quarterback Chris Garrett ready to move south to Baton Rouge in January

by Daniel Mingea III
Tiger Rag Recruiting Analyst

CLICK HERE to read Mingea’s recruiting blog at NOLA.com.

Most of the blame for LSU’s struggles in 2008 was directed towards anyone who lined up under center. Even before the start of some games it was decided prematurely the Tigers would lose due to the play of the quarterbacks. Many believe that will not be the case in 2009 as LSU fans are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the two newcomers, Russell Shepard and Chris Garrett.

Garrett’s senior season officially came to an end last month as Tupelo High School lost to North West Rankin in the playoffs, 19-16. Garrett finished his final year of high school football with a bang completing 127 of 220 passes for 1,901 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also managed to set records in passing touchdowns, passing yards and passing completions for a career.

Garrett claimed it all went by so fast, but admitted it was fun while it lasted.

“Overall it was a fun high school career,” Garrett explained. “I enjoyed the guys I got the chance to play with and some of those guys became my best friends. We shared a lot of great wins together and this year I still believe we should’ve been playing in the state championship. I think we had a much better team than what we showed.”

One of the gunslinger’s most heralded memories came during his junior campaign.

“My best memory was last season when we played Starkville,” Garrett admitted. “They were beating us with a minute and 15 seconds left in the game and we had the ball on our own 20-yard line. We we went all the way down the field and scored to win the game.

“It was on a fourth and 10 play,” Garrett continued. “I threw a touchdown pass to Chad Bumphis in the end-zone with four seconds left on the clock. That’s the memory I’ll never forget.”

That is where memory lane will end for most of Garrett’s high school teammates, but the same cannot be said for the record-setter.

“I’ve been working out everyday at 2:30p.m for about an hour,” Garrett informed. “I’m getting ready for the Offense vs. Defense All-Star game in Myrtle Beach on January second.

“Then a week after that I’ll be moving into my dorm at LSU around January 9th and 10th,” Garrett added. “Russell (Shepard) and I have been talking and I think we’ll probably be rooming together. We think it would be a good situation for the both of us since we’re both quarterbacks and it would give us extra time to talk about things.”

Last week Garrett had the opportunity to become more familiar with a couple of other guys as well.

“Coach [Les] Miles came over to my house last Thursday and we ate dinner together,” Garrett stated. “He stayed for like two and half hours. It was pretty crazy having coach Miles in my house. I never thought that would happen. He was really down to Earth and he talked a lot so there was never an awkward moment.

“Then this past Monday coach [Gary] Crowton stopped by my school,” Garrett added. “We watched some of my game films for about an hour.”

Garrett claimed the coaching staff at LSU played a big factor in his decision. However, the biggest factor was probably his connection with the head man.

“(Thursday) Coach Miles told me to just come in and work my butt off,” Garrett stated. “He said he is going to let the best quarterback play no matter how old he is or what year he is in school. I’m really looking forward to it too.

“He didn’t promise me the starting spot or any of that crap and that’s what I like about coach Miles,” Garrett continued. “He is always straight up and honest with you.”

While Garrett enjoyed his sit-down with the Tigers’ skipper he is expecting to hear from the new head coach of the in-state Bulldogs shortly. Garrett admitted to having felt pressure from the ‘State’ fans since day one and he knows it will only be a better of time before coach Dan Mullen comes knocking at his door.

“Not yet,” Garrett answered when asked if he had been contacted by the new Mississippi State staff. “But I heard they’re about to come after me. I met him (Mullen) once before and he seemed like a nice guy. I enjoyed our conversation.

“But I think something drastic would have to happen for me to change my mind and commit to Mississippi State,” Garrett confirmed. “Right now I’m still 110-percent committed to LSU and I really do not see that changing.”

Note: LSU commit Dexter Pratt will be participating in the all-star game alongside Garrett.