Former Texas A&M star Myles Garrett named 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The former Texas A&M and current Cleveland Browns star received that recognition Thursday at the NFL Honors event in Las Vegas.

star received that recognition Thursday at the NFL Honors event in Las Vegas.

Garrett picked up 23 of the 50 first-place votes for the award. His final tally of 165 topped Pittsburgh defensive end T.J. Watt (140), Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (89), Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (21), Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (14), Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (7), San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (7), Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (4), New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (1), Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (1) and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (1).

Across 16 games this season, the 6-foot-4, 272-pound Garrett led the Browns with 14 sacks. He also recorded 42 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 37 pressures, 30 quarterback hits, 16 quarterback knockdowns, six quarterback hurries, three passes defended, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick.

With Garrett leading the way, Cleveland arguably had the best defense in the NFL this season. The Browns led the NFL in total defense (270.2 yards allowed per game), pass defense (164.7 passing yards allowed per game) and third-down defense (opponents converted 29.1% of third downs).

Beyond AP Defensive Player of the Year honors, Garrett claimed various other accolades following the season. He made his fifth Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro selection for the third time. Pro Football Writers of America and Sporting News named him as their Defensive Player of the Year as well.

In his time with the Browns (2017-present), Garrett has only validated their decision to select him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He is already their all-time sack leader with 88.5. Beyond Garrett, no other NFL player has totaled at least 14 sacks in each of the last three seasons or at least 10 sacks in each of the last six seasons.

Before joining the Browns, Garrett spent three seasons with the Aggies (2014-16). Across 36 career games, Garrett recorded a combined 145 tackles, 48.5 tackles for a loss, 32.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, seven forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

In 2016, Garrett cemented himself as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Even though Garrett battled an ankle injury for much of the season, he received unanimous All-American honors and compiled 33 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, one pass defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

A&M initially signed Garrett to its 2014 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked the Arlington (Texas) Martin product as its No. 1 overall player in the 2014 cycle.