18. DYLAN HORTON | TCU 6040 | 257 lbs. | 5SR Frisco, Texas (Frisco) 8/21/2000 (age 22.68) BACKGROUND: Dylan Horton, who is the youngest of two boys, was born in Houston before his family relocated to Frisco when he was age 1. Along with playing basketball, baseball and soccer growing up, he started playing football at age 5, following in the footsteps of his older brother (Ryan), who is five years older. Horton lined up primarily as a running back and safety throughout youth football before switching to wide receiver in eighth grade. He enrolled at Frisco High School, where he was a starting wide receiver and safety on varsity. As a junior, Horton led Frisco to an 8-3 season and 2016 playoff appearance with 56 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, which earned him first team All-District. He was also an All-District performer in basketball at Frisco and lettered in track (jumps). ‘ A three-star recruit, Horton was the No. 148 safety in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 291 recruit in Texas. At 200 pounds as a high school senior, he was a long and lean safety whom many schools projected to outside linebacker. Horton received a handful of FCS offers and a handful of FBS offers and initially committed to SMU in the summer of 2017. He stayed committed to the Mustangs throughout his senior year, but after Chad Morris was fired as head coach and Sonny Dykes was hired, he wasn’t sure if there would be a scholarship spot for him. Horton decommitted the week before signing day and flipped to New Mexico, which had just hired the former linebackers coach from SMU, who’d been Horton’s main recruiter. He played two seasons at outside linebacker for the Lobos but decided to enter the transfer portal after the 2019 season when Bob Davie was fired as head coach. Horton transferred to TCU to be closer to home and moved positions again to a stand- up edge-rusher role at 235 pounds in Gary Patterson’s scheme. He then moved to the defensive line as a senior under the Horned Frogs’ new coaching staff. Horton accepted his invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl. STRENGTHS: Sturdy, moldable frame ... weight comfortably fluctuated between 235-275 pounds over the last three seasons, as he adjusted to the roles he was asked to play ... strong hands at the point of attack to pry open the chest of blockers and create his own rush lanes ... attacks with joint flexibility ... doesn’t allow tight ends to slow his rush ... can use his inside arm to sell outside before going through the blocker’s inside shoulder ... plays under control as a run defender to contain or quickly accelerate to defend end-arounds and chase down ball carriers ... stays balanced in pursuit to be a consistent finisher on tackle attempts ... produced his best tape and production as a senior ... the only Big 12 player with double-digit sacks in 2022. WEAKNESSES: Tall pads and needs to makes a conscious effort to play low each play ... average shed quickness and violence ... rush sequence can get off schedule quickly, forcing him to reset and stall ... thinks too much when attempting to counter blocks once engaged ... needs to better anticipate set points and blocking design, instead of reacting on the move ... average speed-to-power arsenal ... can be moved by edge blocks when he loses his leverage ... was constantly moving positions in college with only one season as a true hand-on-the-ground end. SUMMARY: A three-year starter at TCU, Horton played left defensive end in defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie’s 3-3-5 scheme, splitting his reps as a 4i, five- and three-technique. A 200-pound safety as a true freshman, he played an edge-rusher role at 235 pounds for Gary Patterson, then got up to 275 pounds for the new scheme in 2022 and led the Big 12 in sacks (including 4.0 against Michigan in the College Football Playoffs). Horton is quick out of his stance with two-step acceleration and the recognition skills to make a beeline to the football. Though he uses his hands well to catch and toss punch attempts, he will stall out once stout blockers engage him as he attempts to counter. Overall, Horton needs to continue honing his efficiency and execution as a pass rusher, but he has high-upside rush traits with steady run-defending skills. He has proven himself to be scheme-versatile. GRADE: 4th Round
Horton has some nice tape. Have a feeling they may have him inside Anderson on rush downs against Guards. Very quick, and very aggressive with hands in the trenches.
Watched 4 games and he always reminded me of Omenihu, not sack wise but just how he always managed to get a hit on the qb. With our leader in qb hits (11) leaving, Dylan is welcomed. When he's ready, he will average 16 qb hits like Omenihu did as a Texan and 493rs.
