Garret Wallow Bio
Garret Wallow (born January 25, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing about 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed around 230 pounds, he plays a physical, downhill style of linebacker built on instincts and pursuit. Wallow first gained national attention at Texas Christian University before being selected by the Houston Texans in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Across his first four professional seasons, Wallow has appeared in regular-season games for three different franchises, showing durability and a knack for contributing on special teams and defense. In addition to Houston, he has spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos, building a journeyman resume that reflects perseverance through injuries and roster changes.
Early Life and Background
Garret Wallow was born on January 25, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up in one of the most football-rich regions of the United States, he was surrounded by the sport from a young age, and the city’s deep tradition of producing high-level talent helped shape his early approach to the game. New Orleans is widely known for its passionate football culture at every level, from youth leagues to high school programs, and that environment gave Wallow an early foundation in the fundamentals of the sport.
He attended John Curtis Christian School, a private school in River Ridge, Louisiana, that is nationally respected for its football program. John Curtis Christian has produced numerous college and professional players, and Wallow developed into one of the most highly recruited linebacker prospects in the state during his high school years. His time at the school helped him earn regional recognition and laid the groundwork for his college recruitment.
Wallow’s combination of size, speed, and football intelligence made him a notable prospect coming out of Louisiana, and he ultimately committed to continue his career at Texas Christian University, a program with a strong reputation for developing defensive players.
Path to American Football
Wallow’s path to the professional level began in earnest at Texas Christian University, where he joined the TCU Horned Frogs. He transitioned into the Big 12 Conference and quickly worked his way into a meaningful role on the defense, contributing on special teams while also developing his skills as a linebacker. His development in the TCU program gave him exposure to high-level coaching and competition, and he steadily improved as a tackler and run-defender.
His most decorated college season came in 2020, when he was recognized as a First-team All-Big 12 selection. That recognition placed him among the top linebackers in the conference and helped elevate his profile heading into his final year of eligibility. Wallow’s production during that season included strong performances in run support and in coverage, traits that NFL scouts look for in modern linebackers.
Following his time at TCU, Wallow declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, where he was projected as a mid-round prospect. His combine testing and pro day workouts, combined with his on-field production, gave teams confidence that he could contribute on special teams and compete for a role on defense, paving the way for his selection by the Houston Texans in the fifth round.
Garret Wallow Career
Early Career (2021–2023): Houston Texans
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 and reported to the team’s offseason program. As a rookie, he focused on learning the Texans’ defensive schemes while contributing on special teams, a common path for mid-round linebackers making the jump from college to the NFL.
During his tenure with the Texans, Wallow appeared in 32 games with five starts, recording 36 tackles and a sack. On August 29, 2023, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad before being signed back to the active roster on November 18. He was waived again on November 25 and re-signed to the practice squad four days later, illustrating the constant roster movement that defines the bottom of an NFL roster. He finished his Texans stint having provided depth at linebacker and a reliable presence on special teams units.
Tennessee Titans Tenure (2023–2024)
On December 20, 2023, the Tennessee Titans signed Wallow to their active roster off of Houston’s practice squad. He played three games for the Titans during the 2023 season, offering linebacker depth late in the year. His brief stint in Tennessee gave him a short stretch of regular-season action as the team navigated injuries and playoff positioning.
In 2024, Wallow remained with the Titans into training camp but suffered a pectoral injury during the preseason. He was placed on injured reserve on August 20, 2024, and ruled out for the remainder of the year, ending his 2024 campaign before the regular season began. The injury marked a setback in his ongoing effort to carve out a stable role on an NFL roster.
Denver Broncos (2025)
On August 1, 2025, Wallow was signed by the Denver Broncos following several injuries to players during training camp. He was released by the Broncos on August 26, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On October 4, 2025, he was promoted to the active roster, giving him another opportunity to contribute at the NFL level.
His time on Denver’s active roster was brief, as he was placed on injured reserve on October 14, 2025, with a hamstring injury. Wallow was activated from injured reserve on November 15, but on December 6, 2025, he was waived by the Broncos. The stretch reflected the volatile nature of bottom-of-roster movement in the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers (2025–Present)
On December 8, 2025, Wallow was claimed off of waivers by the San Francisco 49ers, joining his fourth NFL franchise. The move gave him an opportunity to finish the 2025 season on an active roster and compete for a special-teams role within the 49ers’ defensive system. He joined a team known for its depth and strong special-teams culture, providing a fresh chance to establish himself.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wallow’s professional profile is built on positional versatility, reliable tackling, and special-teams value. At 6 feet 2 inches and around 230 pounds, he has the size to take on blocks at the line of scrimmage and the range to make plays in space. His path through multiple teams has shown an ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and coaching staffs, a useful trait for a reserve linebacker.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Wallow’s notable milestones are his 2020 First-team All-Big 12 selection at TCU, his fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, and appearances with four NFL franchises within his first four professional seasons. His 32 games played for the Texans, including five starts, also stand out as a marker of his durability during his first NFL chapter.
Garret Wallow Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Garret Wallow’s family background is limited. He grew up in the New Orleans, Louisiana area, and his development at John Curtis Christian School suggests a supportive environment that allowed him to pursue football at a high level. He maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
Wallow’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between practice squads, active rosters, and injured reserve. He signed with the Denver Broncos in early August, was released and re-signed to the practice squad, and was promoted to the active roster in October before a hamstring injury led to a stint on injured reserve. After being activated in mid-November, he was waived by Denver in early December.
Shortly after being waived by the Broncos, Wallow was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers on December 8, 2025, giving him an immediate late-season landing spot. The opportunity with the 49ers offers a chance to contribute on special teams and compete for defensive snaps as the regular season winds down.
Looking ahead, Wallow’s primary objective is to secure a stable roster role and avoid the in-season roster churn that has marked his recent years. His experience across multiple schemes, his special-teams background, and his familiarity with the demands of an NFL season position him to compete for a depth role heading into the next offseason.