Kaufman Leaves Impression On Tigers’ Defense

BENTONVILLE — Garrett Kaufman needed just six minutes to leave a lasting impression on Bentonville’s defense this season.

That’s how much time had elapsed when the senior inside linebacker intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown in the Tigers’ season opener. He went on from there to lead Bentonville in tackles for a second consecutive year and earn all-state honors.

His performance throughout the season left enough an impression that Kaufman has been the NWA Media All-Big 7 Defensive Player of the Year.

“He meant so much to the football team,” Bentonville coach Barry Lunney said. “There are the guys that are projected to do well and are the preseason picks to do well, then to go out and do it is another thing. It doesn’t always pan out.

“Garrett had a marvelous year — as good a year as I have had a football player have.”

Kaufman (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) seemed to be near the football on any occasion as a leader on a stingy Bentonville defensive unit. He earned all-state honors after recording a team-high 129 tackles (80 solos, 42 assists, four tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks), six pass breakups and two interceptions.

It was the kind of the season that he expected to have when the season began in August.

“It was nothing less than I expected,” he said. “You always expect the most and expect to win.

“I expected this team to go 13-0 and win the conference and state titles. It ended up not being that way, but I was proud of what the team did accomplish.”

Kaufman’s importance to the Tigers could be summed up in what he did during Bentonville’s 24-17 victory over Fayetteville in the regular-season finale last month. He finished the game with 10 tackles, including one of the eight quarterback sacks the Tigers complied, but he wasn’t finished there.

He also had a diving interception deep in Bentonville territory that ended one Fayetteville drive. He also forced the fumble to set up his halfback pass for a touchdown that gave the Tigers the lead for good in that game.

“I saw him ratchet it up a little bit to where he knew his leadership needed to be stronger,” Lunney said. “I think he held himself accountable more, and he was always making plays.

“He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time defensively and make the key stop. He did that all the way through the season, and his consistency just got better and better.”

Kaufman gave a lot of credit to Lunney and the Tigers’ other coaches for how well he played and grew as a player. He said he actually learned how to be a coach on the field as well as a player and did his part to help teammates out.

Now he takes what he has learned and accomplished and heads to college a little earlier than other players. A 4.0 student, Kaufman graduated this month and will heard to Arkansas State next month after he signed his letter of intent Wednesday with the Red Wolves.

“I’m excited about it,” Kaufman said. “I’m glad to have it out of the way, and I’m glad to have signed with Arkansas State. It’s a weight off my shoulders, and I can’t wait until I get there in January.”