South Carolina Cornerback a Good Fit in Patriots Secondary

Dial has the size and ball skills necessary to enter those conversations.

“He’s tough. He runs well. He’s got length. He’s not afraid to tackle and stick his face in there,” said Beamer. “We played him primarily outside at our place, but certainly feel like he has the ability to [play inside as well].

“He loves football. And the thing I love about Dial, he is very consistent and not too high, not too low. And he really studies the game.”

“I think first and foremost, like most guys picked on Day Three of the draft, he’ll have to make a role on special teams, but he can certainly do that,” said Galko. “But this is a guy that athletically showed it at the NFL combine… he can really move, he’s really fluid and is really a composed controlled athlete too.

“I think his long-term role could be a lot of different things, but short term he’s going to add depth in a couple spots and he’ll be a great, great special teams player early on in his NFL career.”

With impressive athleticism and standout ball skills, Dial has the base traits needed to compete in the NFL and if he continues to make strides like he did with South Carolina, who knows how big a role he might secure with the Patriots.

“I mean, you’re talking about a guy that out of high school, went to a junior college and coming in and from day one did some good things, but the way he’s just developed every year,” said Beamer. “His body’s changed, he’s gotten stronger, he has gotten bigger. He has gotten faster on the field. To me, he got better each year and played with more and more confidence each year.

“He’s excited to be a Patriot and getting an opportunity up there with you guys I have no doubt he will continue to grow and develop.”