Ourlads' Profile:
2018 Guide: What Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services said about HAYDEN HURST: South Carolina, 6044 250 4.65. Junior entry and two-year starter from Jacksonville, FL. After a two year stint in minor league baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Hurst walked onto the South Carolina program in 2015 and just one year later was setting school records for the tight end position. He finished his three-year career with 100 total catches and a first-team All-SEC honor in 2017. Will be 25 years old during his rookie season, but the well-developed and versatile tight end has more than enough left in the tank. His greatest attributes center around catching the ball. His hands have all the stick-em in the world, as he suffered just one drop over his career. Attacks the ball with his hands up and ready to squeeze it on contact. Very consistent ball skill mechanics. Plays with an ongoing motor and shows no hesitation in both lowering his shoulder after the catch and putting his body on the line over the middle. His toughness and grit are a plus. He lined up all over the field in the South Carolina offense and should be an every-down player at the next level. His power presence as a blocker is a few steps behind. He absorbs contact well, but doesn’t get enough movement in the run game. Needs to do a better job of driving his hands and feet along with more consistent technique. He may be a couple years older than most prospects, but he offers enough every-down upside to warrant a day two pick. 2017 stats: 44-559, 12.7 ypr, 2 TD. OSR:5/16. Second/third round. (A-32 3/4, H-9 3/4, VJ-31.5, SS-4.37).