The Houston Texans made multiple trades in Round 5 of the 2021 NFL Draft, moving up to select Texas Christian University linebacker Garret Wallow with the 170th overall pick.
"It is a beautiful opportunity just to be so close to home and just, you know, playing in Texas as well, it is a beautiful thing," Wallow said. "It's just crazy. As you can tell I'm still lost for words, but, you know, I'm just excited to get down there and get started and get things rolling."
Wallow (6-2, 230) was a two-time First-Team All-Big 12 selection (2019-20) and team captain over the course of his four-year career at TCU. Last year, Wallow tied for the Big 12 lead and sixth nationally with three forced fumbles, including one at the TCU 1-yard line in the final minutes to preserve a 33-31 win at Texas.
"Wallow played, I would say, for a good defensive coach in Coach (Gary) Patterson," general manager Nick Caserio said Saturday. "They've been known for defense for a long time, and the way they're constructed defensively, specifically to Garret – now, he was in the box a little bit, he played detached from the formation. Instinctive player, runs well, can close space, is a decent tackler, A-plus football makeup and character, which that's important to what we're trying to do, like we talked about last night."
As a junior, he led the Big-12 with 125 tackles and finished with a team-high 18.0 tackles for loss. In his 49 career games for the Horned Frogs, Wallow recorded 295 tackles (177 solo), 32.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defensed and three forced fumbles in 49 games.
The Texans have drafted TCU players in back-to-back years following defensive lineman Ross Blacklock, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Houston Texans made multiple trades in Round 5 of the 2021 NFL Draft, moving up to select Texas Christian University linebacker Garret Wallow with the 170th overall pick.
LB, Garret Wallow
TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) defends during an NCAA football game against Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. Iowa won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Texas running back Daniel Young (32) is hit by TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) looks on against Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 29-22. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) looks on against Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 29-22. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) tackles Louisiana Tech wide receiver Isaiah Graham (13) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/ Richard W. Rodriguez)
TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) looks on against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 34-18. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Texas running back Daniel Young (32) is hit by TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) tries to stop the run by West Virginia running back Leddie Brown (4) in an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
