Coach Gary Patterson knows how to get collegiate players ready for the NFL.
Since 2001, the first draft after Patterson took over as the head football coach, TCU has produced 55 players drafted by the NFL.
Make Houston Texans’ fifth-round pick Garret Wallow No. 56.
The Texans selected the linebacker No. 170 overall on Saturday in day three of the 2021 NFL draft.
According to Wallow, one of the benefits of playing for the Horned Frogs and Coach Patterson was increasing his football intelligence.
“I would definitely say they helped me raise my IQ, definitely helped me think of football differently more from a player standpoint and a student as well,” Wallow told reporters on a conference call on May 1. “I guess just really for smart-wise, definitely from a professional level. Definitely just prepared the best way possible especially being under Coach P, such a great coach.”
Wallow produced 295 combined tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, an interception, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in 40 games with TCU from 2017-20.
What helped Wallow was Patterson, “holding everybody to a high standard, not letting anybody slack for nothing.” The type of environment Patterson cultivated allowed for Wallow to flourish.
“From that standpoint, definitely prepared me for where I’m about to be now,” said Wallow.