Hayden Hurst
refer to caption
Hurst with the Falcons in 2021
No. 81 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1993-08-24) August 24, 1993 (age 30)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Jacksonville (FL) Bolles
College:South Carolina (2015–2017)
NFL Draft:2018 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:195
Receiving yards:1,902
Receiving touchdowns:15
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Hayden Benson Hurst (born August 24, 1993) is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Early years

Hurst attended The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He played football and baseball for the Bulldogs athletic teams. He graduated in 2012.[1] Hurst was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round of the 2012 MLB draft[2] and signed with the Pirates for a $400,000 signing bonus, turning down a baseball scholarship from Florida State.[3] Hurst played two seasons in the Pirates organization before walking onto South Carolina's football team.[4] In his only minor league pitching appearance, Hurst walked five batters and threw two wild pitches in one-third of an inning. Hurst gave up baseball because he was afflicted by "the yips."[5]

College career

In 2015, as a true freshman, Hurst played in all 12 of South Carolina's games, catching eight passes for 106 yards.[6]

In 2016, as a sophomore, Hurst played in all 13 games, catching at least one pass in each. He caught a career high seven passes against Kentucky. In total, Hurst caught 48 passes for 616 yards.[7] He was awarded a scholarship the following spring.[4]

In 2017, as a junior, Hurst once again played in all 13 games (including the 2018 Outback Bowl), catching 44 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns.[8] He was unanimously named to the 2017 All-Southeastern Conference football team.[9] Hurst declared for the 2018 NFL Draft on December 7, 2017,[10] nearly a month before the 2018 Outback Bowl against Michigan. Hurst recorded three receptions for 41 yards in the 2018 Outback Bowl for a 26–19 South Carolina victory over Michigan.[11]

Collegiate statistics

Season Team GP Receiving
Rec Yds Avg TD
2015 South Carolina 5 8 106 13.3 0
2016 South Carolina 13 48 616 12.8 1
2017 South Carolina 13 44 559 12.7 2
Career 31 100 1,281 12.8 3

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in
(1.94 m) 		250 lb
(113 kg) 		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.67 s 1.63 s 2.71 s 4.37 s 7.19 s 31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine[12][13]

Baltimore Ravens

2018

Hurst with the Ravens in 2018

The Baltimore Ravens selected Hurst in the first round (25th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[14] He was the first tight end selected in the draft.[15] On June 19, 2018, Hurst signed a four-year deal worth $11 million featuring a $6.1 million signing bonus.[16] He recorded his first career touchdown reception, a 26-yard pass from fellow rookie Lamar Jackson, on October 28, 2018, late in the fourth quarter of a 21–36 loss to the Carolina Panthers.[17] Overall, Hurst finished the 2018 season with 13 receptions for 163 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[18]

2019

On September 15, 2019, in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, Hurst caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson, the second of his career, as the Ravens won 23–17.[19] In Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills, Hurst caught three passes for 73 yards, including a career-long 61-yard touchdown pass from Jackson that helped the Ravens eventually win 24–17 and clinch a playoff berth.[20] Overall, Hurst finished the 2019 season with 30 receptions for 349 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[21]

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Tennessee Titans, Hurst caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown during the 12–28 loss.[22]

Atlanta Falcons

Hurst scoring a touchdown with the Falcons against the Cowboys in 2020.

On March 16, 2020, the Ravens agreed to trade Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons along with a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft in return for 2020 second and fifth-round picks. The deal became official on March 18.[23] In Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, Hurst caught five passes for 72 yards and his first touchdown reception as a member of the Falcons during the 39–40 loss.[24]

The Falcons declined to exercise the fifth-year option on Hurst's contract on May 3, 2021, making him a free agent after the 2021 season.[25]

On November 18, 2021, Hurst was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.[26] He was activated on December 11, 2021.[27]

Cincinnati Bengals

Hurst signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on March 18, 2022.[28] He was named the Bengals starting tight end in 2022, recording 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns through 13 starts.

Carolina Panthers

Hurst signed a three-year contract with the Panthers on March 15, 2023.[29][30] On December 6, 2023, Hurst's father, Jerry Hurst, tweeted that Hurst was dealing with post-traumatic amnesia due to a concussion suffered in Week 10.[31] Hurst returned to practice the same day, but was then placed on injured reserve on December 15.[32][33]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2018 BAL 12 0 23 13 163 12.5 32 1
2019 BAL 16 4 39 30 349 11.6 61T 2
2020 ATL 16 9 88 56 571 10.2 42T 6
2021 ATL 13 5 31 26 221 8.5 33 3
2022 CIN 13 13 68 52 414 8.0 29 2
Career[34] 70 31 249 177 1,718 9.7 61T 14

Postseason

Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2018 BAL 1 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
2019 BAL 1 1 6 4 53 13.3 18 1
2022 CIN 3 3 17 13 141 10.8 23 1
Career[34] 5 4 24 17 194 11.4 23 2

References

  1. ^ Smits, Garry (August 12, 2017). "From pro baseball pitcher to college tight end, Plan B works out for former Bolles star Hayden Hurst". The Florida Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  2. ^ "Hayden Hurst – Player Profile". Perfect Game. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  3. ^ "Top tight end in NFL Draft Hayden Hurst once played Minor League Baseball". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Hayden Hurst". Official Athletic Site of the South Carolina Gamecocks. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  5. ^ Pompei, Dan (April 4, 2018). "How Hayden Hurst Went from Baseball Flameout to Potential 1st-Round NFL Pick". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  6. ^ "Hayden Hurst 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "Hayden Hurst 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  8. ^ "Hayden Hurst 2017 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "2017 All-SEC Football Team announced". The Official Website Of The Southeastern Conference. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  10. ^ Cloninger, David. "Gamecocks' Hayden Hurst declares for NFL Draft". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  11. ^ "Outback Bowl - Michigan vs South Carolina Box Score, January 1, 2018". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  12. ^ "NFL Draft Prospect Profile - Hayden Hurst". nfl.com. March 1, 2018. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  13. ^ "South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  14. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  15. ^ Teope, Herbie (April 26, 2018). "Ravens add to TE corps, take Hayden Hurst at No. 25". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  16. ^ Teope, Herbie. "Ravens sign first-round pick Hayden Hurst". NFL. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  17. ^ Oestreicher, Kevin (October 29, 2018). "Watch: QB Lamar Jackson throws 1st NFL touchdown pass". Ravens Wire. USAToday.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  18. ^ "Hayden Hurst 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  19. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at Baltimore Ravens - September 15th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  20. ^ "Ravens clinch AFC playoff berth with 24-17 win over Bills". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 8, 2019. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  21. ^ "Hayden Hurst 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  22. ^ "Titans stun Ravens, head to AFC title game with 28-12 win". www.espn.com. Associated Press. January 11, 2020. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  23. ^ McFadden, Will (March 18, 2020). "Falcons trade for tight end Hayden Hurst". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  24. ^ "Cowboys' rally stuns Falcons 40-39 in McCarthy's home debut". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 20, 2020. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  25. ^ Florio, Mike (May 3, 2021). "Falcons won't pick up Hayden Hurst option for 2022". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  26. ^ "Falcons roster moves: Hayden Hurst to injured reserve, analyzing other gameday moves". AtlantaFalcons.com. November 18, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  27. ^ "Falcons add TE Hayden Hurst and RB Qadree Ollison, cut RB Wayne Gallman". The Falcoholic. SB Nation. December 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  28. ^ "Bengals Roster Moves". Bengals.com. March 18, 2022. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  29. ^ "Hayden Hurst". Spotrac.com. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  30. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 15, 2023). "Panthers agree to terms with Hayden Hurst". Panthers.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  31. ^ Callihan, Schuyler (December 6, 2023). "Hayden Hurst Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia, Per His Father". Sports Illustrated Carolina Panthers News, Analysis and More. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  32. ^ Gantt, Darin. "Week 14 Wednesday Injury Report: DeShawn Williams has a knee issue". Panthers.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  33. ^ Gantt, Darin (December 15, 2023). "Hayden Hurst, Justin McCray placed on injured reserve". Panthers.com.
  34. ^ a b "Hayden Hurst Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

External links

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