Dunbar linebacker rises to the top

All the pretenders -- stat-stuffers who beef up their numbers by feasting on weak regular-season opponents -- always seem to disappear in the postseason. But December is the month when the true stars shine. Playoff time: that's when all the cream rises to the top.

Travon Garrett, a junior from Dunbar, is certainly part of the cream.

Witness the 1A state semifinal game against Catoctin, when Garrett made arguably the play of the season for Dunbar.

With the score tied at 6, Catoctin quarterback Dylan May looked to pass. Garrett dropped back in a zone and read May's eyes. He saw May stare straight at a receiver running an out-pattern underneath the coverage. When May unloaded a pass, Garrett exploded forward, jumped the route and made the interception. Fifty-six yards later he was in the end zone and Dunbar had a 12-6 lead.

"That was a big play," said Dunbar coach Lawrence Smith. "Travon is a guy who's very quick, has good instincts and knows how to read and react. He's a big-time player."

Garrett, at 6-feet and 190 pounds, is a rare linebacker. With the ability to bench-press 300 pounds and squat 500, he has the strength of many high school defensive ends. Add to that a 4.5 40-yard dash, long arms and quick feet, and he can cover like a defensive back.

In Dunbar's defense Garrett played outside linebacker, which was basically the Poets' version of a strong safety. He didn't have any sacks but still managed 80 tackles and five interceptions, which earned him honorable mention Small School All-State honors.

"I'm pretty smart out there, and I have the speed of a defensive back or slot receiver," Garrett said. "For a guy who's my size, to run like that is pretty good. It sets me apart."

For all his unique qualities, Garrett had a hard time standing out at Dunbar last year. He played fourth fiddle in the Poets' star-studded linebacker corps, which boasted senior stars Reynard Parks, P.J. Quarrie and Nathan Ayers. The former two were ballyhooed transfers from Calvert Hall and Ayers was a hyped Division I prospect. The underclassman Garrett had to wait his turn.

Next year, however, Garrett will be the headliner.

"He should be just as special as the great linebackers we've had in the past," Smith said. "I expect for him to lead our defense. I know we can trust him to help us overcome adversity and keep the team moving forward."

While Garrett is gifted physically, don't underestimate his intangible value to the Dunbar program. The Baltimore City institution is known as a "charter school" and has the ability to draw in students from all around the area. Seemingly every year the Poets bring in a few key transfers looking to play for a storied program.

While the transfers may be fine players, they're more like mercenaries than true Poets.

But Garrett has been at Dunbar all four years. He bleeds Poet red.

"I don't think I'm better just because I've been here four years," Garrett said. "The transfers are cool because they're guys who help build the program. I learned a lot from guys like P.J. and Reynard. They played with a lot of heart and showed that no matter your size, you can go out and make plays."

Maybe so, but there's something to be said for a guy that has played alongside Poet greats like Tavon Austin (West Virginia), Sean Farr (Louisville), Jonathan Perry (UAB) and Horace Miller (Louisville). Those 2008 graduates knew how to lead and, more importantly, they knew how to win. In their senior years, Dunbar went 13-1 and won a state championship. Garrett, just a sophomore, was a key supporting member on that squad.

"He's been around the program since his freshman year, so he knows the Dunbar way and he knows how to lead," Smith said. "He's already embracing his role as a senior leader."

Garrett was recently named team captain, a title not to be taken lightly at a school like Dunbar. Already, Garrett has called team meetings and encouraged the underclassmen to get in the weight room and study game film. He's stressed the importance of academics and balancing homework with football.

"I've been around here and seen the other seniors, so I know what's expected of me," Garrett said. "I know what it takes to take Dunbar to the next level and get back to a state championship."

Growing up, Garrett always knew he would be a Poet. He could have gone to any Baltimore City school after eighth grade, but there was never any doubt he would enroll at Dunbar. Not only were the academics strong, but he was also predisposed from an early age. In Pop Warner ball he met Lawrence Smith, who took a liking to him right away.

"I knew when I saw him in Rec ball he could be great," Smith said. "He showed his athleticism even then."

Said Garrett:

"After one of my games Coach Smith came over to me and asked how old I was," he recalled. "I said I was 11, and he told me I had two more years until I could come to Dunbar. But he was always there watching me play and I could tell he liked me."

Apparently Smith's diligence paid off. Two years after their first encounter, Garrett and Smith reunited.

Under the coach's tutelage, Garrett has had a fulfilling high school career that's included a state championship, tips from elite Dunbar alumni, state-wide accolades and a legitimate chance to play Division I college football.

"He compares with the other D-I guys we have had," said Smith, who projects Garrett to be an outside linebacker or strong safety in college. "He might not have the frame, but he has the speed, the instincts and the knowledge of the game."

Temple and Syracuse are currently interested in him. But while Garrett would love to land an offer, his first duty is to his school. After all, Dunbar is in his blood.

"I expect an undefeated season and a state championship," Garrett said. "I'm confident in myself and my team. I know if we keep working we'll get there."

And the cream will rise to the top.