Myles Garrett rose to prominence as one of college football’s top edge rushers and later became an elite NFL defensive end. He played at Texas A&M, where he earned unanimous All‑American honors in 2016. After declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett became the first overall pick and went on to set franchise and league records.
Myles Garrett
Early life and high school success
Myles Garrett grew up in Arlington, Texas, and starred at Martin High School. He excelled in football, basketball, and track. As a senior, Garrett recorded 19.5 sacks and won the 2013 Landry Award for the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Scouts rated him a five‑star recruit and one of the top prospects nationally. He committed to Texas A&M in October 2013.
College career at Texas A&M
Freshman breakout
Garrett made an immediate impact as a true freshman. In just nine games, he broke the SEC freshman sack record and finished the year with 11.5 sacks. He also recorded tackles for loss, quarterback pressures, and a blocked kick. He earned Freshman All‑American honors.
Sophomore dominance
As a sophomore, Garrett led the SEC with 12.5 sacks. He added forced fumbles, tackles for loss, and a rare interception. Those performances brought first‑team All‑America recognition and the Bill Willis Award.
Junior year challenges
In his junior season, injuries limited Garrett’s playing time. A high‑ankle sprain reduced his availability, and he often played only on passing downs while recovering. Still, he earned unanimous All‑American status and finished the season with solid stats despite the missed games.
Pro prospects and combine
Garrett declared for the 2017 NFL Draft after his junior year. At the NFL Combine and Texas A&M’s Pro Day, he impressed scouts with a rare blend of size, speed, and explosiveness. His vertical jump, broad jump, and 40‑yard dash times stood out for a defensive lineman of his stature. Analysts widely projected him as the top pick.
NFL career and achievements
Draft and rookie season
The Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett with the first overall pick in 2017. He signed a fully guaranteed rookie contract and started as a defensive end. Despite early injuries, Garrett recorded multiple sacks in his first season and made the PFWA All‑Rookie Team.
Rise to elite status
Over subsequent seasons, Garrett developed into one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers. He has set franchise sack records and collected multiple Pro Bowl and All‑Pro honors. In later seasons, Garrett claimed Defensive Player of the Year awards and set the single‑season sack record.
Playing style and strengths
Garrett blends length, speed, and power. He wins one‑on‑one matchups with explosive first steps and strong hand usage. He pressures quarterbacks consistently and improves his team’s pass rush on every down.
Off-field notes
Garrett has a background in multiple sports, which helped his athletic development. He overcame injuries early in his career and used training and technique work to refine his game.
Why Myles Garrett matters
For teams, Garrett represents a game‑changing defensive talent. For fans, he offers a rare athletic package at defensive end. His college dominance, combined results, and NFL production make him one of the most impactful edge rushers of his generation.
