2010 Spartan Nation Football Profile: Garrett Celek TE #85

 Expectation: starting Big Ten TE  Height:  6’5”  Weight: 247”  2010 Eligibility: red shirt junior  EXP: 2 letters  Status:Â

 

Expectation:Â starting Big Ten TE

 

Height:  6’5”

 

Weight: 247”

 

2010 Eligibility:Â red shirt junior

 

EXP:Â 2 letters

 

Status:Â backup TE

 

Strengths: Celek has great hands and feet and can be a deceptively good blocker. Let’s look at two plays that the average fan would have seen, but not known it was Celek that made happen.

 

The first I want to look at took place in the Alamo Bowl. With the Spartans having a first and ten with 4:23 on the clock in the first quarter at their own 35, Celek had an astonishing block on the DE and it allowed MSU to have one of Dantonio’s much talked about EXPLOSION plays for a major gain. Celek humiliated his defender with perfect technique and laser-like precision.

 

The other example of his skills once again showcases how a blue-collar working lineman can make something happen and get no credit. Against UM in the third quarter with 2:16 on the clock the Spartans had the ball at the UM 46 facing a second and eight. Facing one of if not the best DE in the country (the NFL draft would prove that) in Brandon Graham. Celek took on Graham and owned him on the play for another EXPLOSION play and a critical 19-yard gain.

 

These two plays were against two very good defensive players, and both times Celek stayed in technique and simple dominated them both.

 

Weakness: Garrett has a brother who played for Dantonio at Cincinnati and is now very successful in the NFL with the Eagles. They are close. I think Garrett sometimes thinks he has to be Brent and doesn’t understand everyone only wants him to be Garrett. Both of them are high character people. Both of them are tacticians on the football field and both of them are great players.

 

Celek is on a team loaded with talent at his position and at times he presses, meaning he almost tries too hard. No one expects him to be Brent, he may be better, and he doesn’t have to try to live up to the guy he looks up to in Brent. It is admirable, but I feel for him when people constantly bring his brother up. Not because he resents it, but he already looks up to him and I think it puts more pressure on him than is fair.

 

Final Analysis: I want to tell one of my favorite stories from last season. Dion Sims comes to MSU has one of the most sought after TE prospects in the nation. Deservedly so may I add. One day at practice I look over and here is Celek helping him with all the little things. With two great TEs ahead of him and Sims behind most players wouldn’t have done that. Celek was spending his time that he could have been getting a drink or catching his breath coaching.

 

It showed the character that he was raised with and why success follows that family. They aren’t about themselves. They are about team and family. Celek has a lot of great teammates who play his position. He isn’t second fiddle to any of them and he isn’t the second fiddle to any other TE in his family. He isn’t Brent and he doesn’t have to be because he is a great Garrett!

 

Next up: OG Joel Foreman