Dylan Purter

Physical Profile

Purter possesses a wiry, athletic frame at roughly 6-foot to 6-foot-0.5 and 165-181 pounds, with longer limbs that give him good reach. His athletic foundation is solid, evidenced by his participation in basketball and track, where he posted an 11.62 100-meter dash. This translates to solid closing speed on the field. He will need to add significant mass and strength to his frame to handle the physicality of the SEC, but his build suggests a high ceiling for physical development.

Play Style

On film, Purter is an aggressive defender who plays downhill and trusts his eyes. He is most comfortable reading the play from depth, using his burst to attack the line of scrimmage in run support. He finds leverage and fires through his hips on contact. In coverage, he has the straight-line speed to carry assignments deep, though his strengths currently lie more in zone concepts and playing over the top where he can use his vision and range. His offensive snaps as a running back, where he rushed for over 500 yards and 6 TDs as a senior, are evident in his feel for angles and space on the defensive side.

Strengths

• Plus tackler who closes with burst, strikes in the hole, and effectively wrangles ball carriers in the open field.
• Positional versatility, having played significant snaps at both safety and cornerback in high school, offering safety-corner flex at the next level.
• Productive two-way player, showcasing dynamic movements and ball skills as a running back, which translates to his playmaking ability in the secondary.

Areas to Improve

• Can be somewhat leggy in his transitions and high in his backpedal, which can affect his change-of-direction ability against more fluid route-runners.
• While a physical tackler, he needs to continue adding bulk to consistently take on and shed blocks from collegiate offensive linemen and tight ends.
• Has not generated a high volume of interceptions in his high school career, indicating an area for development in turning pass breakups into takeaways.

College Projection

Purter projects as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Four level. His immediate impact may come on special teams as he acclimates physically. His versatility gives him a high floor, with the ability to compete for roles at safety or in a nickel/hybrid spot depending on the defensive scheme. His development will be tied to his progression in a collegiate strength program and refining his man coverage technique.

NFL Outlook

Given his 4-star rating, athletic profile, and on-field physicality, Purter possesses a clear developmental path to the NFL. If he maximizes his physical potential by adding size and strength while honing his coverage instincts and technique, he projects as a mid-round NFL Draft candidate with the upside to become a starter. His ability to contribute in run support and on special teams will be a significant asset in his evaluation.

Best Fit

A defensive scheme that utilizes multiple fronts and coverages where his versatility can be showcased would be an ideal fit. A system that allows its safeties to be aggressive in run support while also tasking them with zone responsibilities would play to his current strengths. His strong relationship with Head Coach Jon Sumrall was a key factor in his commitment, suggesting he will thrive in a program that values strong player-coach connections.