Garret Wallow Bio
Garret Wallow is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, Wallow has also spent time with the Tennessee Titans and the Denver Broncos.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 230 pounds, Wallow works primarily as a linebacker and has developed a reputation for physicality and special teams reliability. After beginning his career as a rotational defender in Houston, he has continued to carve out opportunities across multiple organizations, demonstrating the kind of persistence common among mid-round NFL linebackers.
Early Life and Background
Garret Wallow was born on January 25, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States. He grew up in the greater New Orleans area and attended John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, Louisiana, one of the most storied high school football programs in the state. The school has produced numerous college and professional players, giving Wallow an early environment steeped in competitive football tradition.
At John Curtis Christian, Wallow developed into a highly regarded defensive prospect, drawing attention from college programs across the country. His combination of size, speed, and field awareness helped him stand out as a linebacker prospect. The foundation he built during his high school years set the stage for his eventual commitment to Texas Christian University, where he would take the next step toward a professional career.
Path to American Football
Wallow joined the TCU Horned Frogs, where he played college football from 2017 through 2020. His progression through the TCU defense was steady, and by his senior season he had established himself as one of the most productive linebackers in the Big 12 Conference. His ability to read plays, tackle in space, and contribute in coverage made him a central figure in the Horned Frogs’ defensive game plan.
In 2020, Wallow earned First-team All-Big 12 honors, recognition that significantly boosted his professional prospects. The season showcased his instincts and physicality at the collegiate level, and his performance drew the attention of NFL scouts evaluating linebacker prospects for the upcoming draft. That recognition ultimately led to his selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Garret Wallow Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Garret Wallow was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round, 170th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. On May 15, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the team. As a rookie linebacker, Wallow worked to earn a role within the Texans’ defensive rotation, contributing primarily on special teams while learning the nuances of the professional game.
During his early years in Houston, Wallow appeared in games and gradually built his resume as a dependable depth piece. His work ethic and physical tools allowed him to stay in the team’s plans, even as the Texans worked through significant roster and coaching changes. Those formative seasons provided him with the experience needed to handle larger opportunities later in his career.
Houston Texans Era (2021–2023)
Wallow’s most extended stretch with a single team came during his time with the Houston Texans, where he played from 2021 through 2023. Over the course of his Texans tenure, he appeared in 32 games and made five starts, recording 36 tackles and one sack. His role fluctuated between active roster status and the practice squad as the team shuffled personnel throughout the 2023 season.
On August 29, 2023, Wallow was waived by the Texans and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted back to the active roster on November 18, 2023, before being waived again on November 25 and re-signed to the practice squad four days later. Despite the constant movement, his experience in Houston laid the groundwork for his continued NFL journey.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2024)
On December 20, 2023, the Tennessee Titans signed Wallow to their active roster off Houston’s practice squad. He went on to play three games for the Titans during the 2023 season, providing depth at the linebacker position late in the year. The opportunity allowed him to demonstrate his readiness in a new defensive scheme.
During the 2024 preseason, Wallow sustained a pectoral injury that significantly altered his season. He was placed on injured reserve on August 20, 2024, prematurely ending his year. The injury tested his resilience, but he continued to work toward a return to the field and remained committed to his professional development throughout the recovery process.
Denver Broncos Era (2025)
On August 1, 2025, Wallow was signed by the Denver Broncos following several injuries to players during training camp. The signing gave him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot, and he joined a defense looking to add depth at the linebacker position. However, his time on the active roster was brief, as he was released on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.
Wallow was promoted to the Broncos’ active roster on October 4, 2025. Ten days later, he was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He was activated on November 15 before ultimately being waived on December 6, 2025. Despite the turbulent stretch, his persistence kept him in the league.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025–Present)
On December 8, 2025, Wallow was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers, marking his fourth NFL organization in a single calendar year. The move provided him with a fresh opportunity to contribute on defense and special teams as the 49ers pushed toward the later stages of their season. His versatility and experience made him a logical addition for San Francisco.
On March 18, 2026, Wallow re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year contract, signaling the organization’s confidence in his continued role. He remains an active member of the team’s roster, wearing jersey number 49, and looks to build on his cumulative professional experience as he continues his career in the Bay Area.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wallow brings a physical, downhill approach to the linebacker position, with a particular emphasis on run support and open-field tackling. His college production at TCU demonstrated strong instincts and the ability to read offensive schemes quickly. At the professional level, he has leaned on his special teams value and defensive versatility to remain an asset for multiple teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Wallow’s career is his First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2020, a recognition that confirmed his status as one of the conference’s top linebackers. His 2021 draft selection by the Houston Texans also stands as a major milestone, marking his official entry into the NFL. Moving across four teams in a single year in 2025 further illustrates his resilience and durability in a demanding league.
Garret Wallow Career Wins
Garret Wallow’s professional career is defined more by perseverance and steady contributions than by headline-grabbing accolades. Across his stints with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers, he has accumulated 51 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass deflection through the 2025 NFL season. These numbers reflect his role as a rotational defender and reliable special teams performer.
NFL Career Highlights
Wallow’s most productive statistical stretch came during his time with the Houston Texans, where he logged 32 games and five starts. His career sack and growing tackle totals underline his continued development as a linebacker. While he has not yet earned major individual NFL awards, his ability to remain on rosters across multiple organizations speaks to his professional value.
Other Performances
Beyond his NFL stops, Wallow earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2020, a highlight of his college career at TCU. His performance in the Big 12 cemented his draft stock and helped him transition smoothly to the professional level. These collegiate achievements remain a foundation for his ongoing NFL journey.
Garret Wallow Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Garret Wallow’s football roots trace back to Louisiana, where he developed through a highly competitive high school football culture at John Curtis Christian School. The program has a long history of producing top-level college and professional talent, providing Wallow with elite coaching and a strong pipeline into the sport.
Personal Life
Wallow was born and raised in the New Orleans, Louisiana area, and he continues to maintain ties to his home community. Public details about his immediate family, including parents, spouse, and children, are not widely documented. He remains focused on his professional football career and continues to build his life around the demands of the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a whirlwind for Garret Wallow, as he navigated four different NFL organizations within a single calendar year. He began the year in Tennessee before being released during the 2024 season recovery period, and he signed with the Denver Broncos in August 2025. Despite injuries and roster movement, he managed to appear in games for Denver before being waived in December.
Wallow’s mid-December claim by the San Francisco 49ers offered a fresh start and a chance to contribute during the stretch run of the season. His experience as a linebacker and on special teams gave San Francisco additional depth as they pushed through the latter portion of their schedule. The one-year re-signing in March 2026 confirmed his place in the team’s plans going forward.
Looking ahead, Wallow’s outlook with the 49ers centers on continuing to provide defensive depth and special teams value. His journey through multiple teams has showcased his resilience, and his familiarity with various defensive schemes makes him a flexible asset. As he enters the next phase of his career in the Bay Area, his focus remains on earning a steady role and contributing to a contending roster.