Ryan Purvis (born May 31, 1986) is an American former professional football player who played the tight end position. He is noted for his collegiate career at James Madison University and for brief stints with National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) teams.
Early life and education
Born in the United States, Purvis attended high school in Virginia, where he participated in football and track and field. He earned a scholarship to attend James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
College career
At James Madison University, Purpur played for the James Madison Dukes football program from 2005 to 2008. Over his four-year tenure, he transitioned from a wide receiver to a tight end, contributing to the team's offensive production both as a receiver and a blocker. He compiled a total of 71 receptions for 815 yards and eight touchdowns in his collegiate career. Purvis earned All-Conference honors in his senior year.
Professional career
National Football League
After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Purvis signed as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers on May 1, 2009. He participated in the Packers' training camp and preseason but was released during final roster cuts on September 5, 2009. He subsequently spent time on the Packers' practice squad before being released in December 2009.
Canadian Football League
Purvis later signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in early 2010. He was listed on the team's practice roster and appeared in a limited number of regular‑season games during the 2010 season, primarily contributing on special teams. He was released by the Alouettes in the 2011 offseason.
Post‑football career
Following his playing career, Purvis pursued opportunities outside of professional sports, including work in business development and community outreach. Specific details of his post‑football professional activities are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.
Personal life
Public records indicate that Purvis maintains a private personal life. No verifiable information regarding marriage, family, or other personal pursuits is widely reported in reliable sources.
Legacy
While not attaining prolonged prominence in the NFL, Ryan Purvis is recognized for his contributions to the James Madison football program and for achieving the professional milestone of signing with an NFL franchise as an undrafted player. His career exemplifies the pathway of collegiate athletes transitioning to professional opportunities in North American football.