The Denver Broncos took a chance on a young Air Force Cadet back in 2010. Then 6-5, 308 pounds, Ben Garland was a decent nose tackle but very undersized as he joined the team as an undrafted free agent. The climb to starting in the NFL would be tough, maybe tougher than Garland ever imagined.
Fast forward five years to Memorial Day. On a day in which Garland undoubtedly will be thinking of and bringing awareness to his lost brothers in arms, he is finally nearing an opportunity to see one of his lifelong dreams come true. He will enter organized team activities this week with a real shot at a starting job but at left offensive guard for his home state, Denver Broncos.
Coming from Grand Junction Central High School, Garland had two dreams growing up. One was to play and start in the NFL and the other was to be a fighter pilot. Due to his enormous frame, the later looks to go unfulfilled but it didn’t stop him from serving his country. The other dream is closer than ever.
Garland attended Air Force Academy and played four impressive seasons along the defensive line. His senior year he made the second-team All-Mountain West team. After joining the Broncos and playing in the 2010 preseason he was placed on the reserve/military list in order to serve the Air Force on active duty from 2010-11.
When he rejoined the team in 2012 he was moved from defensive line to offensive line while also continuing to serve in the military whenever he could. He continues to do so today. When asked why he does not take a typical offseason and stop serving the Air National Guard every spare moment his answer was simple and telling.
“When you love what you do, why do you need an offseason? I love going to the Air Force and putting on that uniform. I absolutely love doing it,” he said last Wednesday.
While he continues to be a fixture among Broncos at nearly all of their charitable and voluntary outings Garland has worked his way into the competition at left guard. He will be competing with veteran tackle Shelley Smith and others for the job. Since the switch to offense, he has become a student of the line and is ready to make the final push to a starting job.
“I’m an offensive lineman now. I’m totally embracing it and I absolutely love it,” Garland said with a smile. “I’m just getting better every single day. I have the capability. I’ve just got to make sure I put it together and stay consistent.”
He has been notorious for his work ethic, picking coaches and fellow lineman’s brains for any reliable tips to his craft and it has shown. He attributed his growth to two people Wednesday, stating that zone-blocking guru Alex Gibbs and former Bronco and veteran lineman Will Montgomery both helped him immensely in workouts and side conversations.
Coming into the NFL undrafted his tough enough, throw in missed time for military service and a big position switch, you can all but guarantee that that player does not see the field. However, it hasn’t deterred Garland from reaching his goal of a starting job.
“When I was very first signed as a rookie, that’s all I wanted. I wanted to start for the team, just really contribute out there and to become a Pro Bowler. Those are my goals.”
In 2014 Garland played in eight games but only 47 snaps on the offensive line according to Pro Football Focus. His opportunity this season is considerably brighter with the departure of three starters along the line and a lot of change amongst the team. He commented on new arrivals and the challenges of the new staff last week from Dove Valley.
“Not only did we get some great draft picks, but we’ve got some great free agents in the offseason. It’s going to be a thick competition and we’re going to have a great offensive line,” Garland stated. “You’ve got to learn new scheme, new calls, new defenses and how they fit into the scheme. You’ve got to study past offenses that have been running similar stuff. It’s a lot of studying.”
While pursuing the enormous task of succeeding in the NFL Garland has exceeded expectations off the field. He has embraced his role in the community as he remembers being a young Colorado kid getting to meet his idols, the Denver Broncos at a community event as a youngster. Nationwide recognized Garland’s work this past year with the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award and gave a $10,000 check to his SoDE Solutions foundation, a non-profit that fights against worldwide human trafficking. Now it is time for his work on the field to get recognized but for Garland there is only one way to get that done.
“I’m going to bring my lunch pail and I’m going to work. Every single day I’m going to work as hard as I can to get better, and hopefully I can make this team better because of it.”
He has done everything he was asked to do as a Cadet and as a professional football player off the field and he has waited a long time for his shot at starting in the NFL. If the old adage of “good things come to those who wait” is true Garland is in for a promising career on the offensive line. The competition is stiff, with several new faces and young eager players but one thing is certain; Garland will continue to work hard and treasure the journey, no matter how long it is.
Email Sam at sam@milehighsports.com and follow him on Twitter @SamCowhick.
