veteran Kansas State linebacker with splash-play upside and steady production
Purnell entered the 2026 cycle as a proven, high-motor linebacker for Kansas State, coming off a 2025 season in which he posted 57 tackles, 18 pressures, 4 sacks, and a 60.6 passer rating allowed in coverage, while earning 2025 All-Big 12 honorable mention and a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week nod. His biggest differentiators are versatility and juice: he can chase plays sideline-to-sideline, blitz effectively, and create turnovers. A senior leader with extensive starting experience, he looks like a smart fit for a defense that values instinct, contact courage, and impact snaps.
