Junior Jersey DB gaining respect
Wykoff (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep is always a hotbed of talent, and the Class of 2005 is already making noise. Standing 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, two-way star Michael Ray Garvin ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds this summer at the Syracuse camp and already has two offers in hand.
An all-league first team performer as a sophomore, Garvin has accounted for seven touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball as a junior -- three rushing and four receiving. A three year letterman, he has rushed for 280 yards.
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His strength, however, is on the defensive side of the ball, where he has recorded three interceptions -- two for touchdowns – and 59 tackles. This all stands to reason, as his dad, Johnny Ray Garvin, is the Don Bosco Prep defensive coordinator.
“He prefers DB,” commented coach Garvin. “He has all the skills of a DB. He has the speed and is gaining maturity, and the good thing is that he still has another year of high school.
He is pretty much ready physically. He bench presses 185 pounds 20 times and maxes out at 295. He squats 380 pounds and has a 33 1/2 “ vertical.
“He is just learning to break on the ball, and out of the three interceptions, one went for 40 to 50 yards, and the other two were for scores. Everybody has quit throwing the ball his way.”
Colleges have already picked up on is stellar play and have been showing a lot of interest.
“He already has offers from Rutgers and Boston College, and we are expecting one from Syracuse any day,” Coach Garvin said. Others showing interest include Miami, Maryland, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Iowa, Virginia, and NC State.
Although he is nowhere close to making a final decision, Michael has begun to evaluate what he wants in a college. His dad explained his thought process.
“First of all education, and what they have to offer. He wants to get to the next level, and possibly play as a freshman. His favorite is Miami. Just the caliber of athlete and speed, and the chance to play at the next level. He likes the ACC.”
Garvin camped at Maryland, Boston College, and Syracuse over the summer, and has been invited to participate in the Army High School All-American Bowl and the Nike Camp as a junior.
Garvin maintains a 3.0 GPA and is scheduled to take the SAT for the first time on Dec. 8.