The Student News Site of Colorado State University

The Rocky Mountain Collegian

The Student News Site of Colorado State University

The Rocky Mountain Collegian

The Student News Site of Colorado State University

The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Print Edition
Letter to the editor submissions
Have a strong opinion about something happening on campus or in Fort Collins? Want to respond to an article written on The Collegian? Write a Letter to the Editor by following the guidelines here.
Follow Us on Twitter
Crypto Exchange Listing: Types of Exchanges and Compliance Requirements
March 25, 2024

The crypto industry continues to evolve, fueled by the increasing institutional adoption of crypto. Today, numerous companies are entering the...

Dallas Cowboys select CSU’s Michael Gallup in third round of NFL Draft

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. 

Ad

“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.

Ad

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_.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

When commenting on The Collegian’s website, please be respectful of others and their viewpoints. The Collegian reviews all comments and reserves the right to reject comments from the website. Comments including any of the following will not be accepted. 1. No language attacking a protected group, including slurs or other profane language directed at a person’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social class, age, physical or mental disability, ethnicity or nationality. 2. No factually inaccurate information, including misleading statements or incorrect data. 3. No abusive language or harassment of Collegian writers, editors or other commenters. 4. No threatening language that includes but is not limited to language inciting violence against an individual or group of people. 5. No links.
All The Rocky Mountain Collegian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *