Number One Overall: Arlington Martin Grad Myles Garrett Takes his Dream to the NFL

By Ryan Hunt

Posted on August 24, 2017, August 24, 2017

Arlington native and Martin High School graduate Myles Garrett is taking his football dreams to the next level, as he prepares for his rookie season in the NFL as a member of the Cleveland Browns.

The star linebacker was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Instead of traveling to Philadelphia to watch his selection, Garrett opted to stay in The American Dream City, watching the broadcast with friends and family at Tierra Verde Golf Club.

Staying home to watch the NFL Draft was an easy decision for Garrett, who continues to be proud to call himself an Arlington native.

"Family comes first, no matter what," Garrett said. "It was quite an easy decision for me. It was either be there [in Philadelphia] with two or three of my family members or be around everyone who has been able to shape and mold my life and help me become the man I am now and I will be later down the line. They"ve helped my dream come true."

After winning the Dallas area Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior at Arlington Martin, Garrett racked up multiple honors during his college career at Texas A&M.

The consensus All-American and second-team All-SEC pick burst onto the scene with 11.5 sacks as a freshman, quickly developing a reputation of getting to the quarterback as an elite pass rusher.

Garrett then added finalist honors for the Lombardi and Hendricks Awards as the nation"s top defender as a sophomore with 19.5 tackles for loss. He also tied for second in the FBS with 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.

While fighting a knee injury, Garrett was still named first-team All-American and All-SEC as a junior, picking up an impressive 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in just nine starts.

Recently, during Browns training camp this off-season, Garrett moved into the starting lineup. As the number one overall pick, he has a lot to prove, but a major focus for him is making the Arlington community proud.

"I think about my city. All the people who have raised me and been a part of my life, they bring me back up and give me the energy to carry on and keep pushing to be successful. Because they deserve it."

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