-- Justin Garrett has never been through something like this before, a season derailed by injuries, a season of missed opportunities outside of his control.Frustrated, waiting and watching at home while his Auburn teammates made their run to the SEC Championship, Garrett wanted to get back on the field so badly that he refused to take a medical redshirt for weeks, hoping he could return in time to contribute.Auburn hybrid/linebacker Justin Garrett talks to reporters in July. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Media Relations)Garrett finally had to admit defeat. The hybrid who turned so many heads in the spring decided to take a medical redshirt after seeing only limited action in two games, the product of foot injuries that would not go away."Things happen for a reason. It's in God's hands, so all you can do is pray about it," Garrett said. "Being injured and not being able to play, you have to humble yourself and realize life is bigger than football."Garrett, the projected starter at the "Star" position in Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 defense, first suffered a sprained left foot in Auburn's first scrimmage in August, an injury that lingered and forced him to give way to Robenson Therezie, who emerged as one of the early breakout stars of Auburn's defense.Forced back to linebacker by Therezie's emergence, Garrett played against both Mississippi State and LSU as Cassanova McKinzy's backup at weak-side linebacker, making four tackles in limited time.Then he broke his right foot during the bye week. For weeks, Garrett held out hope of returning before season's end.Admitting his body wasn't right was tough for a player who'd never suffered a serious injury before."I was thinking that at first," Garrett said. "But as time went by, the season was getting close to ending, and I still wasn't right. I just decided to take a medical redshirt and come back."Fully healthy now, Garrett has been sprinting and going through all the drills he was doing before his feet started to give him problems.Provided that he can make a comeback, Garrett could be a key piece for a defense that loses several seniors, including Chris Davis, Ryan Smith and Ryan White in the secondary and Jake Holland at linebacker.Auburn linebacker Justin Garrett (26) works out during practice Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, at Auburn Athletic Facility in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com) "Justin Garrett was really the MVP of the spring, and battling injuries, didn't really get to play hardly at all, and we were still able to have a successful year," Malzahn said. "Hopefully, we can get him healthy, and he can come back and help us in the fall."Malzahn told reporters Friday that the coaching staff will make decisions on position changes in their pre-spring meetings.Garrett, at 220 pounds, was a perfect fit for Star, and the position seems a little thinner than linebacker, where McKinzy, Kris Frost and Anthony Swain all return and the Tigers add five-star prospect Tre Williams, among others.Garrett's ready to fill any need. He just wants to be back on the field. "I'll play whatever the coaches want me to play," Garrett said. "I don't have a preference. I'm just out there to help the team win."Being forced to miss an entire season changes a player's perspective. Now, Garrett's goals are simple."Stay healthy, pretty much," Garrett said. "Not have any more foot problems, help us get back to the national championship."
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Auburn DB Blake Poole and Auburn LB Justin Garrett work out during spring practice Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at the Auburn Athletic Complex in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)