Illinois State defensive tackle Garret Steffen (56) collected two sacks in Saturday’s 31-16 win against Northern Iowa at Hancock Stadium. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
NORMAL – Garret Steffen arrived at Illinois State for last year’s preseason camp primed and ready to be a key piece of an already strong Redbird defense.
After all, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Steffen had been a mainstay for rival Western Illinois in 2023. He had shown the ability to be a disruptive force in the defensive line against both the run and pass.
Having seen both his film and live action against Steffen, the Illinois State coaches welcomed his transfer.
“I thought I was going to have an amazing season last year,” Steffen said. “We had a really special group of guys.”
Then came the injury, a torn pectoral muscle sustained in fall camp that ended his season before it began.
“It was tough for me because I had never missed a season before,” the former Altoona (Wis.) High School state-qualifying wrestler said.
While he missed ISU’s run to the second round of the FCS playoffs a year ago, Steffen used his medical redshirt and put his mind and body to work on preparing for this season.
He has turned disappointment and frustration into celebration and success.
Steffen registered seven tackles, two quarterback sacks and a QB hurry in Saturday’s 31-16 win against Northern Iowa.
“He loves to rush the passer,” ISU head coach Brock Spack said. “It was really good to see Steffen get not just one, but two sacks. He’s hard to block. I was very happy for him. He’s worked awfully hard.”
Steffen echoed Spack’s sentiments.
“Sacking the QB is the best feeling on the planet,” he said. “That’s what I came here to do. That’s why I came to be a Redbird. That’s what they do around here.”
Steffen has done more than just lead ISU in sacks. His five QB hurries are tops on the team, but his presence on the defensive line doesn’t translate to mere statistics on the page.
“I’m seeing everything pay off now. I’ve been staying at it. It’s all coming to where it needs to be,” Steffen said.
Entering the final month of his senior season, Steffen plans to relish every moment while striving to do his part in ISU’s playoff push.
“To be able to turn around and stay healthy this year and hopefully finish out that way and get a whole season under my belt would mean the world,” he said.
“I’m glad that he’s here,” Spack said. “He’s rehabbed really hard. He’s worked himself into a position to have a great end to his career.”
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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