NFL Draft Profile: Tyler Coyle

Tyler Coyle was highly sought after.

The former leading tackler for the Connecticut Huskies was a big time get for a defense transitioning to a 3-4 defense.

After missing a few games, we never felt the impact from Coyle that we expected in the secondary.

At 6-1, 210 pounds, he was built for the role of the safety coming down hill to make a huge stop in the run game.

In 3 games at Purdue, he recorded 13 tackles and played a lot of special teams. Overall, in his 4 year college football career, he had 274 total tackles, his 2nd year at UCONN he had over 100 tackles at safety.

With his huge body of work, but disappointing 2020 season, everyone assumed he would be an UDFA.

But, then Purdue hosted a pro day and Tyler Coyle showed out.

6-1, 210 pounds, 4.41 forty, 39 inch vertical, 11-1 broad jump, bench press 225, 24 times.

Wow. He would have tested with the best of them in recent years.

With that day, he successfully worked himself into talks of a round 4 thru 7 selection. I see him closer to round 6 or 7. I would love for the Colts to select him late, I could see him as a great special teams guy for years.

Here is a Q & A from NFLDraftDiamonds.com earlier this month with Tyler.

“Right now, people are not talking about you the way I feel they should. Do you feel you are an underdog?

* Absolutely! My body of work throughout my college career should speak for itself! I Didn’t have the year I wanted to last year. I’m 100% healthy and ready to contribute to whatever team picks me up

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

* I’m literally a chess piece. My versatility is my best trait. I would easily say I’m the most versatile player in this draft class

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

* I would donate to the Lung Cancer Foundation of American in support of my grandmother who had passed away when I was five. As many people don’t know lung cancer has the lowest survival rate and I would be fulfilled to help fund research to extend the lives of loved ones.

Who was your childhood hero?

* Combination of my Dad and older brother

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

* UConn/Kevon Jones

* Purdue/Gio Howard

What is your biggest pet peeve?

* When people lie or tell you they are going to do something and never do it. One thing my mother always told me was a Liar is a thief

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

* In the middle of a pandemic I had to adjust to being a first-time dad while being 14 hours away from my family and dealing with a mid-foot sprain. Through it all I kept my faith which allowed me to keep going.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

* UConn was special to me because it was my home state school. I wanted to go there and become that hometown hero and show the youth from my community that anything is possible with dedication and persistence. I then transferred to Purdue where they gave me an opportunity to continue my athletic career while pursuing my masters.

What is your favorite snack food?

* Welch’s Island Fruits fruit snacks

The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

* Easily one of the most athletic players in this draft class and my

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

* Jamal Adams

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

* Martin Luther King JR and Malcolm X these two individuals put their lives on the line in a blind walk against injustices and segregation. The leadership skills these two individuals possessed is a inspiration to me as a black man. Lastly, it would have to be my Grandmother who passed away when I first started playing football. I just want to hug her and tell her how much harder life has been without her while sharing all I have accomplished thus far.”