Posted 9:34 am Friday, October 03, 2008
Roget Making Impact At TJC
By JOE BUIE
Staff Writer
Tyler Junior College freshman linebacker Garrett Roget is a quick study. The Arlington Grace Prep graduate didn't make up his mind to attend TJC until late in the summer, and then walked on to the football team without a scholarship.
Staff Writer
Tyler Junior College freshman linebacker Garrett Roget is a quick study. The Arlington Grace Prep graduate didn't make up his mind to attend TJC until late in the summer, and then walked on to the football team without a scholarship.
The Arlington Grace Prep graduate didn't make up his mind to attend TJC until late in the summer, and then walked on to the football team without a scholarship.
In a few short weeks, he went from a relative unknown to a starter on defense. The 6-1, 200-pound Roget felt good about his performance against Cisco two weeks ago, and then added to it with 13 tackles in the Apaches' 44-34 loss to Navarro last weekend.
The fact that he learned his position so quickly is no surprise when you consider his pedigree. Roget's two older brothers, Ryan and Kyle Roget, were standouts for the Apaches the past two seasons before signing with Division I Alabama-Birmingham.
All three brothers are highly intelligent and have good football instincts. Kyle was honored as a Distinguished Juco Academic All-American last year.
Garrett didn't pick TJC just because his brothers went there. To the contrary, he put the Apaches on the back burner while exploring opportunities to play at four-year schools.
He took official visits to NCAA Division II Truman State and I-AA Elon, and made unofficial trips to D-II Angelo State and D-III East Texas Baptist.
It turned into a race against time.
"I did not get a highlight video out until the day after signing day (in February)," said Roget, who talked with TJC linebackers coach George Cumby in February and knew TJC was an option. "My choices were limited and scholarship money was very limited."
"I did not get a highlight video out until the day after signing day (in February)," said Roget, who talked with TJC linebackers coach George Cumby in February and knew TJC was an option. "My choices were limited and scholarship money was very limited."
Roget, who turned 18 on July 25, kept every door open as long as possible.
"I was continually praying about it and one day I was just kind of reflecting and going down the list of my choices," he said. "When I said Tyler Junior College I just had this great joy, like a spiritual joy. I'm a religious person, so I was just like 'that's it'.
"I didn't know I would be walking on ΓΆΒ?Β» there was a lot of uncertainty about it. But I really felt like the Lord was leading me here and I was going to listen to that. I've had zero regrets. Starting with camp, there were some things that worked out that kind of broke my way ΓΆΒ?Β» and I slowly got moved up on the depth chart."
Roget, who was honorable mention all-state in TAPPS Division II, started TJC's season opener at middle linebacker before moving back to second-string the next game. He's started at outside linebacker the past two games and will be in that spot on Saturday when the Apaches (2-2, 1-1 SWJCFC) face No. 8 Blinn (3-1, 1-1) at 3 p.m. in Brenham.
"I came in with a chip on my shoulder trying to prove myself, going full speed," he said.
Roget, who is third on the team with 27 tackles, describes himself as a cerebral linebacker who relies on instincts to dissect a play quickly before breaking on the ball.
"Physically, I'm not going to overpower anybody," he said. "It's just reaction and speed ΓΆΒ?Β» seeing the ball and flying to the ball, arriving with a reckless abandon. Make a (big) hit when necessary but secure the tackle."
Smoke Signals: Chris Lacy (Longview HS), playing weak safety in TJC's 4-2-5 defense, made a team-high 18 tackles against Navarro.
