Game of Patience: Jalen Garner’s Rise from Sidelines to Starting Senior

Patience is a virtue. One of the oldest proverbs known globally. Certainly, by Houston fifth-year senior linebacker Jalen Garner.

In a new era of collegiate athletics, where constant movement and instant gratification have become the norm thanks to the transfer portal, NIL and revenue share, players like Garner aren't around like they used to be.

While the idea to find "greener" pastures continues to become the most desirable path for those who sit deep on the depth chart early on in their careers, it is players like Garner who continue to prove that waiting for one's turn can prove to be just as good of a route, if not better.

The Norcross, Ga., native has played in 42 career games over five seasons as a Cougar. Prior to 2025, Garner had never started a game through his first four years at Houston.

During that time, he has learned a lot. "I have grown here," Garner said. "I have learned how to apply myself, and I've learned how to be patient with different things."

The desire to be a defensive starter could've easily been another name to the portal, but Garner's patience paid off tremendously. Now, he's among the team leaders in tackles while producing some of the best defensive play the Cougars have received from anyone this season.

Garner has spent half a decade running through the tunnel and onto the field at TDECU Stadium. On Saturday, he gets to do it once last time in scarlet and white.

The transactional nature of Senior Day is truly a sight to behold. For the team, it's going all in to give each senior a proper sendoff to cap off their respective careers with the program. For seniors, it's leaving everything out there one last time on the field they call home.

Garner has had his fair share of playing as the former. Come Saturday, his intention is nothing more than to write the last few lines in his Houston chapter. The one he refused to leave unfinished.

"Finishing it through," Garner said. "I started something and I am going to finish it."

That patience has cultivated the most rewarding aspect in Garner's collegiate career, getting to see it through on his terms. Along the way, he has forged his product on the field and credits several former teammates of his at Houston for shaping him to what he is today.

A strong group of leaders, namely Donavan Mutin, Treylin Payne, Jamal Morris and Zykeius Strong, all came to mind when asked of who made the biggest impact on his life. Through practice and game time, Garner learned to become like those who came before him and played beside him.

"I've grown to be strong. As a person, I've become more of a leader."

Set to make his 11th consecutive start for the #25 ranked Cougars, Garner took a moment to reflect on some of his best memories at Houston.

His favorite moment? His goal line stand at Rice in 2023 where he jumped to stop a leaping Rice player and prevent him from scoring.

His favorite win? The Marcus Jones kick return touchdown his freshman year against SMU in 2021.

These moments remain core memories for Garner as he looks back at his body of work over five seasons in Houston. He is one of four players to begin their careers at Houston in 2020 or 2021 and conclude their careers as Cougars.

Garner stayed faithful to the Cougars. In return, Houston stayed faithful to him.

As he continues to build on his best season in scarlet and white, Garner still has unfinished business to take care of. Having clinched bowl-eligible status after seven games, the Cougars continue to head down the final stretch of a tight race atop the conference standings for a potential Big 12 Championship appearance.

Garner's focus remains locked in on giving his all for what's left of his time here in Houston. As for what follows, Garner also knows where his attention lies post college ball. What excites him the most?

"Knowing what's next. I'd say just taking that next step forward. Hopefully the league, and if not, I'm still going for the league."

With sights set on playing at the next level, Garner has no plans of letting go of what he has built here in Houston. A half decade's worth of teammates, coaches and staff later, Garner expressed his gratitude and appreciation for those who helped him get to where he is today.

No matter what becomes of his career post college, he hopes to look back and remember all the relationships he built with his friends, coaches and many more around Houston.

Ultimately, no amount of experience can prepare someone for a Senior Day sendoff. For Garner, the emotions may or may not run high, openly admitting the nerves he feels as gameday approaches. But much like his mindset once his turn came to be a starter and a defensive force for the Cougars this season, he leaves one final note ahead of his last dance at TDECU.

"It's time, let's go."

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