Jackson Garrett Makes ‘Easy’ Decision, Verbally Commits to Wyoming

CHEYENNE -- Boise State and UNLV kicked the tires. So have others like Kansas State, Wake Forest and Nevada.

Montana and Utah Tech actually offered.

It's a thanks, but no thanks from Jackson Garrett.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman out of Cheyenne Central last Thursday announced on social media he was staying put and fully intends to play his college football in Laramie, a decision the senior called "pretty easy."

Garrett is the second local product to commit to Jay Sawvel's program, joining Sheridan's Beck Haswell.

Wyoming's second-year head coach will reportedly be in attendance next Friday night when the Indians and Broncs meet inside Homer Scott Field.

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"It took a lot off my shoulders," Garrett said with a smile, just minutes after knocking off Thunder Basin 37-27 last Friday night in the Indians' homecoming game. "It just feels so great to be an in-state kid, be able to commit to the University of Wyoming and be able to play at that level.

"... It definitely settled me down a little bit, and just brought peace to it, you know? It feels so good."

Early signing day is set for Feb. 4.

Garrett, who is currently the 12th verbal commit for UW in the 2026 recruiting class, lines up in the interior on both sides of the ball during his final year of high school. Once he goes over the hill, he said, the focus will shift to playing offensive guard.

His current head coach said Garrett's versatility will give the Cowboys options.

"Honestly, it'd be interesting to see him at center," Mike Apodaca said last Friday night. "I think he'd be really good there, because he's just a smart kid and he's so athletic that, wherever they put him, I definitely think he's gonna be a kid that we'll hear a lot about in the next few years."

Is Garrett OK with that permanent move?

"I want to move that ball," he said with a grin. "I'll play wherever they want to put me."

Garrett littered last fall's 4A All-Conference lists, landing on the first team at defensive tackle and second team on offense. He spent his offseason attending camps and combines. He received offers for official and unofficial visits.

Only one of those, a Junior Day camp in Laramie last May, mattered in the end.

Apodaca thinks he knows exactly what Sawvel sees in the senior.

"His potential is unlimited," he said. "He's kind of gotten a slow start to football in terms of, you know, let's say a kid down in Texas, right? They've been playing (their entire lives) and have a personal trainer, the whole nine. If you know Jackson, he played Post Six baseball for a long time and really was chasing that quite a bit. Over the last couple of years he's decided he's ready to go. So, I think his potential is just off the charts and he's just a great kid."

Andrew Johnson, who was also once a standout at this very high school and on this very field, came home Friday night to speak to the current CHS team, one that is currently 4-1 overall and ranked No. 5 in the state. The senior safety at Wyoming said this was his first chance to meet Garrett.

His first impression?

"My first visual opinion is, he fits in," Johnson joked. "I'm around a lot of very big humans, and he fits the role."

After watching Garrett in action?

"He's a big, physical country boy," he continued, saying he urged him from the home sideline to go out and make a play late in the fourth quarter. Garrett responded with a quarterback sack. "You know, I'm sure he'll have tremendous success. We talked a little bit, but that was more me to him. I think there's still more in the tank."

Garrett grew up attending games inside War Memorial Stadium. He's related to the Christopoulos brothers, Lou and Dan, both of whom grew up in Cheyenne, played at Central and went on to star at UW. The latter still owns the record for the longest field goal in program history, a 62-yarder against Colorado State back in 1977.

Garrett has also been training with former All-Mountain West selection Gabe Knapton, who suited up in Laramie from 2007-11 before spending six seasons in the Canadian Football League.

Destiny? It sure looks that way.

"It's a great honor and a blessing," Garrett said of his opportunity. "I have no words for it. It's awesome. I can't wait."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players