Michael Gallup is headed to America’s team. The Dallas Cowboys selected the standout wide receiver from Colorado State with the 17th pick of the third round of the NFL Draft, 81st overall.
Gallup figures to have an immediate chance at contributing for the Cowboys, who lost Dez Bryant and reliable target in tight end Jason Witten this offseason. The Cowboys’ most notable receivers are free agent signing Allen Hurns along with Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams.
“I really like him,” NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock said on Gallup’s scouting report. “He’s quick, he’s fast, strong hands and high-point ability. I think this young man’s got some upside.”
In just two years with CSU, Gallup became one of the most successful receivers in school history. After spending two years at Butler Community College, the Monroe, Georgia native joined CSU as a junior in 2016 and elevated to the upper echelon of Mountain West receivers.
He recorded 76 receptions for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns, the latter of which ranks second in program history for touchdown receptions in a season. Gallup was named a first-team All-MW selection during his first season at the Division I level.
Gallup’s improvement followed him into his senior season when he posted one of the best all-around seasons in CSU history. The standout hauled in 100 catches for 1,413 yards. Those numbers ranked third and fifth in the nation, respectively. He also became CSU’s all-time leader for receptions in a season and second in receiving yards in a season.
His dominance was best displayed in a homecoming bout against Nevada in which he notched 13 receptions for 263 yards and three touchdowns. All three stats rank second in school history for per-game records.
Gallup became the fourth CSU player ever to be named a consensus All-American, joining Mike Bell (1978), Greg Myers (1995) and Rashard Higgins (2014). The now-NFL TEAM was also selected as one of three Biletnikoff Award finalists given to the best receiver in the nation.
Despite only being a Ram for two seasons, Gallup ranks fifth in career receptions at CSU (176), sixth in career receiving yards (2,685) and tied for second in career receiving touchdowns (21).
His pre-draft projections generally slotted Gallup as a third-round pick, though some analysts had him in the second round and others in the latter rounds. Pro Football Focus ranked Gallup as the No. 1 receiver in the 2018 class, ahead of first-round selections D.J. Moore (Maryland, Carolina Panthers) and Calvin Ridley (Alabama, Atlanta Falcons).
At the NFL Combine, Gallup posted a 4.51 40-yard dash. He improved upon it during CSU’s Pro Day, registering a 4.45 and lessening some scouts’ concerns of his speed at the next level. Many analysts also tabbed Gallup as a standout during the Senior Bowl and accompanying practices.
The wide receiver became the first CSU player selected and fifth Mountain West pick of the draft. Wyoming’s Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch (Dallas Cowboys) and San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny (Seattle Seahawks) all heard their names called in the first round while Nevada’s Austin Corbett (Cleveland Browns) was the first pick of the second round.
Collegian Sports Director Colin Barnard can be reached at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @ColinBarnard_.
