Nov. 7, 2007
Q & A With Eric garrisonBy UNM Media Relations Assistant D.J. Renteria
A fifth-year walk-on who has improved every year in the program, senior kicker Eric garrison is backing up fellow senior John Sullivan this season. While he hasn’t kicked in a game since his senior year of high school in 2002, Garrison learned a lot in practice, training with two first team all-MWC performers in Kenny Byrd (2005-06) and Wes Zunker (2003-04) since arriving at UNM.
The Spring, Texas product has solid leg strength and accuracy, and has made real progress in the weight room over the past two year. He leads all kickers with a 315-pound bench press and 385 squat. A minor knee injury kept him out of the 2007 spring game, but he displayed good power with a 50-yard field goal during a live scrimmage earlier in the spring.
D.J. Renteria: Was there any one that you looked up to as a role model while growing up?
Eric garrison: I always looked up to Michael Jordan growing up as a kid. He went about everything in a positive way, had a great will to win, and always made his teammates better.
DR: What is the biggest thing people underestimate about kickers?
EG: Definitely our athleticism is the biggest underestimation I have been faced with. Especially in our program here we are very strong and work very hard in the weight room. People never expect us to run fast or be strong and we are!
DR: What is the best thing about being a senior?
EG: This being the last year of school is probably the best thing about being a senior for me. Obtaining a degree and looking forward to entering the real world is exciting.
DR: If you weren’t a kicker what position would you be playing?
EG: I would definitely go back to receiver, which I played in high school.
DR: If you were stranded on a deserted island what two things would you have to have with you?
EG: I would really need my Playstation and John Madden football.
DR: Do you have any hidden talents that not too many people know about?
EG: I can do a pretty good Forrest Gump impersonation that I feel is a great talent.
DR: What is your favorite restaurant around town?
EG: For sure El Pinto or Sadie’s”. I have really grown to love New Mexican food during my time at UNM.
DR: What characteristics go into the making of a good kicker?
EG: Mental toughness is the most important. Ability to perform under pressure is also huge. Something a lot of people don’t know is flexibility is a big part of being a good kicker also.