Haskell Garrett adds prestigious honor as Ohio State career winds down
COLUMBUS — The impact of Haskell Garrett was always felt at Ohio State.
It was hard to ignore for anybody else paying close attention to the Buckeyes senior.
The defensive tackle and captain at Ohio State had to battle through injuries this season, and it certainly didn’t end the way he envisioned after electing to return for one more year with the program. But Garrett still made his mark as one of the most influential players in the nation — and that earned him another individual award, this one honoring both his performance and his heritage.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame named Haskell Garrett as the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year on Wednesday, adding one more tribute to a remarkable career with Ohio State.
“He creates energy,” defensive end and fellow captain Zach Harrison said. “When Haskell made that play, I just felt it. The defensive energy just kind of took off. We’re celebrating on the field, having a good time. And that’s when I feel like we’re the best. We’re playing, having fun, celebrating, making plays — that’s what defense is about.
“Defense is about energy. And that’s what Haskell Garrett does a good job of bringing.
Whether Garrett could provide that jolt one more time with the Buckeyes remains unclear as they wrapped up on-campus practices for the Rose Bowl on Wednesday morning.
Heading into the Christmas break before leaving for California, Ohio State hasn’t had any players reveal any decisions about opting out or declaring for the NFL Draft. But given his injury situation and professional stock, it’s believed that Garrett will be among the Buckeyes weighing their options leading up to the matchup with Utah on New Year’s Day.
Either way, Haskell Garrett has left a legacy with Ohio State. And he received one more piece of hardware to help solidify it.
