Myles Garrett: From College Standout to NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Myles Lorenz Garrett, born on December 29, 1995, is an American professional football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Known for his exceptional athleticism and dominant pass-rush ability, Garrett has established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the league. This article delves into Garrett's college career at Texas A&M, his transition to the NFL, and his accomplishments with the Cleveland Browns.
Early Life and High School Career
Born in Arlington, Texas, Garrett excelled in multiple sports at Martin High School, earning letters in football, basketball, and track and field. As a senior, he recorded 19.5 sacks and was awarded the 2013 Landry Award, which is given to the best high school player in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Garrett was rated as a five-star recruit and the second-best overall player in his class. On October 18, 2013, he committed to play football at Texas A&M.
College Career at Texas A&M
Garrett's impact was immediate. Playing as a true freshman, he broke the A&M freshman sack record in just six games and the SEC freshman sack record three games later. He finished his first year with 11.5 sacks and 53 tackles, earning him Freshman All-American honors from USA Today and a Freshman All-SEC selection.
Sophomore Success
Garrett avoided a sophomore slump, leading the SEC with 12.5 sacks. He also recorded his first interception against the Ole Miss Rebels. He was named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America.
Read also: From Longhorn to NBA
Junior Season and NFL Draft Declaration
As a junior, Garrett missed two games due to a high-ankle sprain. Despite the injury, he still managed to record 8.5 sacks, 33 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He received first-team All-American honors from multiple football publications for the second consecutive year.
Following the 2016 season, Garrett announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2017 NFL draft. He was ranked No. 1 on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board of draft prospects, as the Cleveland Browns were in search of a defensive standout.
College Statistics Overview
Across 36 games at Texas A&M, Garrett recorded 145 tackles (84 solo), 48.5 tackles for loss, 32.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and one interception. He consistently made an impact, recording 14 or more tackles for loss each season. His sack totals fluctuated, from 11.5 as a freshman to 12.5 as a sophomore and 8.5 in 2016.
NFL Draft and Early Career with the Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns selected Garrett with the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. This draft class included other notable players such as Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Cooper Kupp, T.J. Watt, and George Kittle.
Rookie Season
A high ankle sprain delayed Garrett's NFL debut by four games. However, his impact was immediately felt upon his return. In his first NFL game against the New York Jets, Garrett sacked quarterback Josh McCown twice. Despite the Browns' 17-14 loss and eventual 0-16 season, Garrett was a bright spot, recording seven sacks and 31 combined tackles and earning a spot on the 2017 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Read also: Historic Myles Standish Hall
Continued Growth and Pro Bowl Recognition
In 2018, Garrett started all 16 games as a defensive captain for the Browns, recording 13.5 sacks, 44 tackles, and three forced fumbles. The Browns improved to a 7-8-1 record, and Garrett was invited to his first Pro Bowl and named a second-team All-Pro.
2019 Season and Suspension
Garrett continued to perform at a high level in 2019 but also faced controversy. During a Week 11 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a scuffle with quarterback Mason Rudolph led to Garrett removing Rudolph's helmet and striking him in the head with it.
Garrett apologized for his actions but was suspended indefinitely by the NFL. He finished the 2019 season with 10 sacks and 29 tackles in 10 games.
Reinstatement and Contract Extension
Garrett was reinstated on February 12, 2020, and signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Browns that July.
2020 Season and Playoff Berth
In 2020, Garrett missed two games after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. However, he was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October after recording six sacks and 14 tackles. Garrett earned his second Pro Bowl selection and was named a first-team NFL All-Pro.
Read also: More on Myles Brand
Garrett and the Browns made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, defeating the Steelers in the Wild Card round 48-37. However, they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
Record-Breaking 2021 Season
In Week 3 of the 2021 season, Garrett sacked Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields 4.5 times, breaking the Browns' franchise record for most sacks in a single game. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. In Week 14, Garrett became the first Brown to earn a rating of 99 in the Madden NFL video game.
Garrett set career highs in 2021 with 16 sacks and 51 combined tackles. He was named to his third Pro Bowl and his second consecutive first-team All-Pro.
Consistent Performance and Defensive Player of the Year Award
In 2022, Garrett set a new career high in tackles with 60 and again posted 16 sacks. He forced two fumbles and earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection, a second-team All-Pro naming, and finished fifth in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.
In Week 7 of the 2023 season, Garrett recorded nine tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and blocked a field goal in a win over the Indianapolis Colts, earning him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award.
Garrett led the Browns to another playoff berth. He finished the season with 14 sacks, 42 total tackles, and a career-high four forced fumbles. He was named to his fifth Pro Bowl and third first-team All-Pro. At the 13th NFL Honors, Garrett was named the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Recent Achievements
The 2024 season has seen Garrett reach the 100 career sacks mark, the youngest player in NFL history to do so. He also became the first player in history to record four consecutive seasons of 14 or more sacks. He currently has 14 sacks, 38 tackles, and three forced fumbles.
In 2025, Garrett achieved the milestone of 23 sacks, breaking the single-season sack record of 22.5 previously set.
Personal Life
Garrett's half-brother, Sean Williams, played basketball for Boston College and in the NBA. His older sister, Brea Garrett, was a track and field athlete at Texas A&M. In September 2022, Garrett was involved in a one-car crash. In October 2023, he purchased a minority ownership stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers.
NFL Career Statistics and Accomplishments
Myles Garrett has solidified his position as a dominant force in the NFL. His career statistics and accomplishments include:
- 2017 PFWA All-Rookie Team
- 5-time Pro Bowl selection (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
- 3-time First-Team All-Pro selection (2020, 2021, 2023)
- Second-Team All-Pro selection (2022)
- AFC Defensive Player of the Month (October 2020, November 2025)
- AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3, 2021; Week 7, 2023; Week 12, 2025)
- 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- Cleveland Browns all-time career sacks leader
- Single-Season Sack Record (2025)
tags: #myles #garrett #college #stats #and #career
