The Sacramento State football season has come to a close after a season-ending win over UC Davis on Nov. 22, in what was the first career Causeway Classic victory for this year’s graduating class of seniors.

Among those seniors is Garrett Safron, who leaves Sac State as the most decorated and accomplished quarterback in school history, as the record books would suggest.

The quarterback finished his Sac State career as the school’s all-time leader in nearly every statistic at his position, including 9,713 passing yards and 82 touchdowns.

The dynamic play of Safron helped Sac State finish this season with a record of 7-5, the program’s highest win total since 2000. Coach Jody Sears, in his first year as head coach of the Hornets, said the poise and maturity of his quarterback made the transition much easier.

“I was blessed with a wonderful group of guys when I came to Sacramento State,” Sears said. “Of course Garrett is a big part of that, his leadership and experience was invaluable for us. He really knows what he’s doing out there on the field, he can almost make it look easy.”

His 833 completions and 62.5 percent completion rate are also school records. Safron also proved to be an effective dual threat quarterback, finishing sixth in all-time rushing with 1,906 yards as well as seventh in rushing touchdowns with 16.

Safron’s 288 passing yards and four touchdowns against UC Davis put him at 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns for the 2014 campaign, breaking school records that he set himself last season.

However, the road to his current success has been far from easy for Safron. After graduating from Santa Monica High School in 2010, he drew minimal recruiting interest despite earning all-Ocean League Honors his senior season.

That led Safron to lean on a strong work ethic and self-motivation that he carries to this day.

“That was definitely a humbling experience and taught me that everything is earned,” Safron said. “It’s been a long and tough journey, but I’m glad that I had to work hard and earn my scholarship. I have a lot of respect for the program for giving me a chance.”

After making the team as a walk-on and receiving his athletic scholarship from Sac State, Safron redshirted during his freshman season until winning the starting quarterback position just five games into the 2011 season. He proved he deserved to keep the job when he ran for 100 yards and a score in his first collegiate game against Eastern Washington.

Safron truly broke out during the 2013 campaign when he set new school single-season records of 294 completions, 460 attempts, 3,289 yards and 27 passing touchdowns, earning him second team All-Big Sky honors as well as team MVP.

Also a breakout star of the 2013 campaign was wide receiver DeAndre Carter, who became Safron’s favorite target while grabbing 64 receptions for 934 yards and a school single-season record 14 touchdowns. The dynamic offensive duo share a chemistry on the gridiron that stretches far beyond football.

“Garrett and I have always been close, that’s my brother,” Carter said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am without him, and I wouldn’t have ever wanted anyone else throwing the ball to me.”

The two playmakers remain best friends off the field, working out and throwing together all offseason and even traveling together to visit family during the holidays. They share a similar workhorse mentality that they credit to the team’s improvements this season.

“DeAndre is the hardest working player I’ve ever been around,” Safron said. “He’s always helped set the tone on this team as a leader and always had my back. It’s been a roller-coaster of a ride, but we’ve stuck it out and leaned on each other. It meant a lot to us, especially as seniors, to get this program headed in the right direction.”

Sears said that although it is bittersweet to say goodbye to one of his biggest producers on the field, he is grateful for the contributions Safron made to the program.

“Garrett certainly leaves some big shoes to be filled,” Sears said. “He has done an admirable job of not only leading this team but preparing these younger guys to take the reins next year. I couldn’t have asked for more from him, just an incredibly talented player and a wonderful young man.”

Now with his collegiate career concluded, Safron will continue the journey as he prepares for the opportunity to showcase his talent at the professional level. Upon graduating after the Fall 2014 semester, Safron will return to his native Southern California to begin training for NFL Pro Day auditions that will begin in March of 2015.

“I’m going to try out for Pro Day and see how far football can take me,” Safron said. “All I can do is keep working every day.”

Megan Gilmore, Safron’s girlfriend of two years, will be along for the ride as his biggest fan.

“I am so proud of Garrett. He is exceptionally driven and perseveres through any challenge he is faced with,” Gilmore said. “There is no doubt in my mind that he will impress everyone on Pro Day.”