Cowboys draft CSU’s Gallup

FORT COLLINS » Giddy up, Gallup. You’re a Cowboy.

Michael Gallup, Colorado State’s All-America wide receiver, was selected 81st overall in the third round of the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys on Friday.

Gallup, who played two seasons with the Rams after joining them from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., was one of college football’s most dominant receivers in 2017. He hauled in 100 receptions as a senior (which ranked third, nationally), for 1,413 yards (fifth) and seven touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound receiver was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s top pass catcher.

“Truly amazing to see all the beautiful things that are about to happen in Michael Gallup’s life. I couldn’t be more proud of Michael and the way he has reprechose sented Colorado State University and our football program throughout this entire process,” Alvis Whitted, CSU’s wide receivers coach said. “The Dallas Cowboys are getting a steal. He is a tremendous player, with an even greater upside — and more importantly — an even better human being with a great heart. He will be an asset to that organization. There are no words to express what he means to me and my family. I am thankful and blessed he me and Coach (Mike) Bobo to be a part of his journey.”

At the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Gallup graded out at 5.72, which is considered by scouts as having potential to become a starter. There he ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, had 10 bench press reps and a vertical jump of 36 inches. At CSU, he became known for his ability to catch 50-50 balls over defenders by perfectly timing his leaps.

Wide receiver was a position of need for the Cowboys, who recently released three-time all-pro Dez Bryant.

Gallup is the second All-America wide receiver drafted out of CSU in the past three years. Rashard Higgins, who holds nearly every receiving record the Rams track, was selected 172nd overall (fifth round) by the Browns in 2016.