Haskell Garrett, Ohio State DT | NFL Draft Scouting Report

Having overcome adversity in 2020, Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett opted to return for one final season before declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. His final season was the most productive of his career, resulting in multiple accolades. Does Garrett’s scouting report reflect the silverware and statistics? How high can the Ohio State DT climb in this 2022 NFL Draft interior defensive line class?

Haskell Garrett NFL Draft Profile

• Position: Defensive Tackle
• School: Ohio State
• Current Year: Graduate Senior
• Height: 6’1 3/8″
• Weight: 298 pounds
• Wingspan: 78″
• Arm: 32 1/4″
• Hand: 9 7/8″

Haskell Garrett Scouting Report

While Jordan Davis and DeMarvin Leal were the early headliners in this defensive tackle class, there are several impressive prospects that have elevated their stock this season. As a result, there are currently 20 players at the position within draftable range on the Pro Football Network consensus big board. Furthermore, there are seven defensive tackles within the top 100 at this present time.

Although Garrett currently sits outside of the top 100, his scouting report reveals some alluring traits. Additionally, he’ll have the opportunity to improve his stock at the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. The Ohio State DT is the 152nd-ranked prospect on our board, coming in as the DT12 in the class.

The graduate senior defensive tackle offers some impressive athletic ability. The 298-pound interior lineman has an excellent first step, possessing explosiveness beyond his size. You only have to watch him rumble into the end zone on a “big man” touchdown to appreciate the speed he possesses relative to his size. 

Combined with solid lateral agility, Garrett’s athletic ability allows him to be a dangerous gap penetrator. The Ohio State DT showcases the ability to use body control to dip under offensive linemen, and can also knife between double-team blocks by contorting his body away from contact.

Athleticism combined with technical expertise  

In addition to his athletic ability, Garrett possesses some technical upside. On his tape, there are good examples of him using clean footwork and hand technique to fight his way effortlessly into the backfield. 

Garrett also showcases excellent competitive toughness. The Ohio State DT has a hot running motor. There is no such thing as half measures, and he often chases players downfield until the whistle stops. 

Furthermore, Garrett possesses impressive strength. There are several examples of him pushing the pocket on film and displaying a decent bull rush. His strength is evident when tackling, as he routinely wraps up and forces his man to the ground.

Finally, Garrett has exhibited versatility at the college level. He’s seen multiple DT alignments for Ohio State, ranging from 1-technique all the way out to 5-technique. 

Areas for improvement 

Garrett has the potential to be an early Day 3 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His scouting report reveals the athletic ability, motor, and character that NFL teams will love. However, there are some elements of the Ohio State defensive tackle’s scouting report that will limit his draft potential.

At 6’2″ and 298 pounds, the Ohio State DT is a little on the small side. As a result, his versatility at the college level may not translate to the NFL. He will likely be considered a pure 3-technique by the league, decreasing his value compared to other more versatile defensive linemen.

While Garrett possesses a decent bull rush and has showcased some other pass-rush moves, he doesn’t have an arsenal of weapons at his disposal. He’ll need to develop a deeper repertoire of moves, and the ability to string these moves together to counter.

Despite a clear demonstration of his power when bull rushing, Garrett struggles against double-team blocks. He needs to develop more strength to combat this. This lack of strength, combined with his slightly smaller stature compared to his interior defensive line contemporaries, may limit his stock in the eyes of the NFL.

Garrett Player Profile

Considering his early footballing success, it should come as no surprise that Garrett is likely to be a highly sought-after 2022 NFL Draft prospect. The former four-star high school prospect had a standout career for the perennially successfully Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Garrett was the sixth-ranked defensive tackle in the 2017 recruiting class and the fourth-ranked player in the talent-rich state of Nevada.

Even before his sophomore season, the USC Trojans handed the young DT his first offer. Following a season where he racked up 20.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, college football programs attempted to capture his signature even more. However, it wasn’t until his junior campaign in which he totaled 16 tackles for loss and 6 sacks that his dream school came knocking. Ohio State offered in February 2016, and Garrett didn’t require much persuading.

“I chose Ohio State because I knew the reputation coach [Urban] Meyer has as a coach in developing his players, but also because Ohio State has been a dream school of mine.”

Garrett finished his Bishop Gorman career in fine form, with his college future secured before his senior season. After another hyper-productive season, he ended his high school career with 56.5 TFL and 25 sacks. The team never lost a game during his career, going 43-0 and securing multiple state titles and national championships.

The destructive defensive tackle headed to Ohio State as a US Army All-American and the 4A Sunset/Southwest Defensive MVP. Meanwhile, he earned first-team Nevada All-State honors.

Garrett’s career at Ohio State

Even when you’ve had such an accomplished high school career, the leap up to college football can be an overwhelming one. A large proportion of even the most talented players see minimal game time in their first year or redshirt. At a program like Ohio State — where there is a constant stream of DL talent — taking a redshirt as a freshman is especially common. Not for Garrett.

The young DT made an impression on coach Meyer early on. Meyer told 247 Sports before the start of the 2017 season, “He’s going to play. That’s unusual for an [freshman] interior D-lineman, but he’s really impressive right now.”

Garrett played in eight games as a true freshman. Although his production wasn’t prolific — 3 tackles across games against Maryland and Rutgers — his performances earned him a more significant role for 2018. The Ohio State DT played in 14 games for the Buckeyes in his sophomore season, making 7 tackles and logging a pass breakup against Nebraska.

Despite playing in fewer games during the 2019 season, Garrett’s production increased. He registered 10 tackles and ate up double teams to allow other players to make plays. Nevertheless, he made box score contributions himself, with a first career tackle for loss against Miami (OH) in a game where he set a career-high 4 tackles.

Overcoming adversity to breakout for Ohio State in 2020

Then came that night in August.

“I was breaking up a domestic violence and intervened,” Garrett told me during an in-depth interview. “Unfortunately, it resulted in me being shot in the face.”

Miraculously, the bullet passed through his cheeks, avoiding any severe damage. Unbelievably, he was out of the hospital less than two days later — and on October 24, he lined up for the Buckeyes in their season opener.

Despite the Buckeyes playing just eight games in the shortened season, Garrett had a breakout year. In that first game since being shot, he secured his first career sack. The senior DT earned his second sack of the season against Northwestern. Haskell later notched a pick-six in a walkover win against Michigan State.

As Ohio State came up just short of a national championship, Garrett amassed 20 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 sacks — registering at least 2 tackles in all but one game.

The Ohio State DT earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition from the conference’s coaches. Furthermore, multiple media outlets adorned Garrett with All-American honors. Following his senior season success, it was anticipated he’d follow fellow Ohio State DT Tommy Togiai to the NFL Draft. However, Garrett opted to return to the Buckeyes, feeling like he still had something to prove while wanting to be a leader for a young defense.

Garrett returns for final year, earning accolades and Senior Bowl invite  

Although 2021 saw Ohio State fail to win the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 2016, it was a personally successful season for Garrett. In the season opener against Minnesota, the Ohio State DT scooped up a forced fumble for the second “big man” touchdown of his career. Against Akron, he was unstoppable, with 3 of his 5 tackles resulting in a sack.

With 22 tackles (7 of them for loss), 5.5 sacks, and his touchdown, Garrett had the most successful season of his career in 2021. His production and impact saw him earn first-team All-Big Ten honors while being named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. Furthermore, the Ohio State DT earned an invite to the prestigious Reese’s Senior Bowl. There, he’ll aim to establish himself as one of the top defensive prospects in this NFL Draft class.

Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report on Haskell Garrett

Positives: Quick, explosive one-gap tackle who flashes dominance. Fires off the snap with a terrific first step, plays with excellent pad level, and easily changes direction. Moves well laterally, uses his hands very effectively, and keeps his feet moving. Focused on by opponents in the middle of the line. Displays good awareness and effectively diagnoses plays.

Negatives: Was not much of a factor last season. Gets consistently turned from the play or washed from the action by blocks. Lacks bulk and playing strength.

Analysis: Garrett is a somewhat athletic defensive tackle prospect who works hard on the field and is an outstanding person off of it. His brilliant first step off the snap gives him the ability to quickly penetrate through gaps, and Garrett is a natural fit in a one-gap system.