By: Michael Higgins

School: TCU (Senior)

Position: EDGE

HT: 6’4

WT: 250 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #92

Dylan Horton is a versatile defensive lineman out of Frisco, Texas. Horton was a multi-sport star in high school, competing in football, basketball, and Track & Field. Originally a 3-star recruit, he started his college career at New Mexico, where he was planning to play safety. Wanting to earn meaningful reps, Horton transitioned into a linebacker for New Mexico. He added some mass to his frame and was able to be a quick-footed linebacker with safety instincts. As Horton got more comfortable in his new role, he transferred to TCU before the 2020 season. During his time at TCU, he has played more of an edge role as opposed to a traditional weakside linebacker role.

His past experiences at both safety and linebacker are evident when you turn on the tape. Horton is not just a big body on the defensive line, his athletic profile is quite impressive. He tested tremendously in athletic tests such as the broad jump and vertical jump. He can really spring himself into the point of attack. He plays better in a two-point stance where he is able to get that quick first step and really barrel himself into the chest of the offensive lineman. Horton has put up great pass-rushing production, this past season he totaled 10.5 sacks. Horton has a large bag of pass-rushing moves that he uses on a consistent basis. He has noticeable bend and flexibility off the edge that he shows off when pulling off a spin move or any other eye-popping pass-rushing rep. He is a big body, but a majority of the reps he wins can be credited to his speed and finesse. Horton is best used when his speed can be highlighted. Sticking Horton on the interior of the defensive line will not be using him to his full potential like putting him on the outside edge would. Horton is a finesse-style pass rusher, but his game can best be characterized as violent and physical. He has active hands and is eager to shoot himself into the backfield.

Horton is oftentimes too eager to get to the point of attack and can put himself in disadvantageous positions. His hands are violent, but they are often misplaced, resulting in him getting knocked off balance completely. Even when his hands don’t necessarily fall off of the linemen, he still struggles with balance at the point of attack. Horton’s run defense could stand to improve as well. Horton does not display the required amount of patience when controlling gaps in the run game. He tries to make the big splash plays in the backfield and this leads to him working himself too far upfield and taking himself out of the play.

Dylan Horton can prove to be a valuable edge rusher that provides a unique skill set at the position that not many people can say they have. He will work best in a rotational role while he develops in the league before he can get the majority of the reps.