Ben, Garland staying positive

A team with plenty of talent and high aspirations is learning how to deal with a disappointing start to its season. Texas' Garland High School has sputtered out of the gates due to a brutal early-season schedule. However, one of its stars in cornerback Jarrett Ben hasn't lowered his expectations in the wake of some early losses or lost his focus as recruiting picks up.

"We haven't gotten the season off as we would've liked," Ben said. "We lost to Allen, Desoto and Plano East in our first three games. All those teams are some good teams and have got some good athletes."

Despite the early struggles, Ben knows that there is plenty of season left and his team's 0-3 record can be misleading.

"We're gonna prove some people wrong," he said. "People have been downing Garland and downing our record but we're gonna make a big stand. We plan on coming on strong in district."

Ben has been doing his part for the Garland defense, but playing on his island at cornerback, he has had to deal with limited opportunities to make plays.

"I had an interception in the first game against Allen," he said. "I've had a lot of pass break ups and stuff but they haven't really been throwing my way after that Allen game. I think Desoto threw my way four times the whole game. Plano East had a good quarterback in Riko Smalls and he was just running around all over."

While Ben is focusing on getting his team that first win, he also has plenty of to worry about with recruiting as well, including one offer that he wasn't expecting.

"I've been offered by UNLV," he said. "That was kind of out of the blue because they just saw my tape and came by once in the Spring. I didn't camp there or anything."

With several offers on the table, Ben is beginning to think about his schedule for making official visits.

"I plan on going to Iowa State Oct. 13 for an official visit," he said. "That's the only trip that I have scheduled. I plan on going to some other schools too though. I'd like to see Iowa State, Kansas State, Duke, Iowa and UNLV. I've never really been to any of the schools outside of Texas so I'd like to get to see some of them."

As interest picks up from some out-of-state schools, Ben is still getting the most interest from the local teams.

"Right now North Texas and TCU have probably been talking to me the most," he said. "That's probably because they're the closest."

Ben will have plenty of time to focus on recruiting during his senior year, but for now, he has only one thing on his mind.

"We're gonna get that first win this weekend," he said. "I'm gonna get everybody ready for that."