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Draft Profile: Hayden Hurst

by Damian Parson

 

College Football is the clear and only pipeline to the NFL. It is filled with thousands of talented young men that dream of playing at the next level. Only 1.5% of those players become pro football players. Every draft has positions that are deeper than others, some believe this is a quarterback class and others believes it is a running back class. The tight ends have something to say and I am all ears!!! Here is my scouting report!!

Hayden Hurst, Tight End, South Carolina

Height-Weight: 6’5 250 lbs.

Film reviewed: Missouri (2017), Arkansas (2017), USF (16)

The Good: The Gamecock tight end is an intriguing talent heading into draft season. Hurst has a nice frame to be an effective red zone threat. He is a willing blocker in the run/screen game and is solid at the POA (Point of Attack). Using a good burst he can work his way up field into his routes pretty quickly and that definitely helps with timing. Hurst is very versatile from a schematics standpoint, he moves all over the formation and even runs some jet sweeps. He understands spacing and finding the soft spot in zone coverage, which is essential at the next level. This gamecock is a solid route runner with smooth hips to roll in and out of breaks.

The Bad: Hurst has a bit of an issue with his motor because it doesn’t run hot consistently from what I have seen. He needs get off the ball quicker and start faster; he tends to take plays off at times. He needs to tweak and improve his techniques overall. He does not stay low during his run blocking (low man wins). Hurst will need to work on release from physical press coverage; at the next level defenders will not consistently give him free releases. He will need to use his hands more to create separation within the first five yards of contact.

Pro Comparison: Ceiling: Aaron Hernandez Floor: Zach Miller

Hurst has the ability to be a potential chess piece in the NFL. Like Aaron Hernandez, Hurst can be an effective move tight end/H-Back with the ability to block in the run game. He has quickness, footwork, and athletic ability to be a mismatch problem at the next level.

Team Fits: Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers

 

NCAA. (2017). Estimated probability of competing in professional athletics. Retrieved from http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/research/estimated-probability-competing-professional-athletics

 

Damian Parson is an Analyst for Couch Rider Report. Follow him on Facebook and Follow/Like us on Facebook or twitter.

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