Myles Garrett, the former Texas A&M standout and current star for the Cleveland Browns, secured his first Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award at the NFL Honors event in Las Vegas, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
Garrett received 23 of the 50 first-place votes for the award, finishing with a total of 165 votes. He outpaced formidable contenders such as T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers (140 votes), Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys (89 votes), and Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders (21 votes), among others.
Throughout the season, Garrett showcased his dominance on the field, amassing impressive statistics across 16 games. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 272 pounds, he led the Browns with 14 sacks and contributed significantly in various defensive categories, including tackles, tackles for loss, pressures, quarterback hits, and turnovers.
Under Garrett’s leadership, the Cleveland Browns boasted one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL, leading the league in total defense, pass defense, and third-down defense. His exceptional performance earned him not only the AP Defensive Player of the Year award but also recognition from other prestigious organizations such as the Pro Football Writers of America and Sporting News.
Since being drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett has consistently proven his worth, becoming the team’s all-time sack leader with 88.5 sacks. His remarkable consistency in generating sacks over multiple seasons sets him apart from his peers in the league.
Before his NFL career, Garrett made waves during his time with the Texas A&M Aggies, where he showcased his talent as a disruptive force on the defensive line. Garnering unanimous All-American honors in 2016, Garrett solidified his status as the top prospect in the NFL Draft, despite battling injuries throughout the season.
Garrett’s journey from a highly-touted recruit out of Arlington, Texas, to becoming a dominant force in the NFL exemplifies his dedication, skill, and perseverance in the sport.
