Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons.
The restrictions positioned on the NFL brought on by the coronavirus have made it difficult for many rookies, trades and free brokers to turn out to be acquainted with their new teammates. That’s not the case for Falcons newly added tight finish, Hayden Hurst.
In keeping with ESPN’s Mina Kimes, Hurst says he has been road-tripping from Jacksonville, Florida to Atlanta for the final month to get some passes in along with his QB, Matt Ryan.
Hurst informed Kimes, “That’s serving to me loads…that’s actually going to repay throughout coaching camp.”
Jacksonville is Hurst’s hometown and it takes roughly Four hours and 53 min to get to Atlanta. Issue within the site visitors, you’ve simply hit the five-hour mark.
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Falcons Commerce for Hurst
The 26-year-old was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens as their No. 25 decide within the 2018 NFL Draft. Hurst was a walk-on on the College of South Carolina. In his first two seasons with the Ravens, Hurst caught 43 passes for 512 yards and three touchdowns.
The Falcons traded one in all their second-round picks (No. 55 total) and their fifth-round decide (No. 157 total) within the 2020 NFL Draft and obtained Hurst and the Ravens’ fourth-round decide (No. 134 total) on this yr’s draft in return.
The Falcons misplaced their beginning tight finish, Austin Hooper, after they left him to hit the free company mark. Hooper signed the largest TE contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Hurst earned a 72.Four grade from Professional Soccer Focus final season which landed him at No. 14 amongst all NFL tight ends.
Hurst’s Darkish Journey From MLB to NFL
Hurst truly packed up his baggage and headed to Pittsburgh to play Main League Baseball for the Pirates, previous to becoming a member of the NFL.
At 18-years-old, Hurst developed the Yips. Yips are uncontrollable wrist spasms which led to Hurst’s incapability to throw the ball and even hit.
Hurst, at 6-foot-5, may nonetheless run a 4.60 40-yard sprint which made him an ideal match at tight finish. He hadn’t performed soccer since junior yr of highschool, nonetheless, he earned a scholarship as a walk-on at USC. He was in a really darkish place in South Carolina after his shattering MLB profession that just about price him his personal life.
Whereas battling despair he was in a position to set the college single-season file for receptions by a decent finish that fall with 48. in 2017, he caught 44 extra passes. He entered the draft in 2018 and went within the first spherical.
The NFL modified Hurst’s life for the higher, it offers him one other probability to shine.
What to Count on From Hurst
After signing with the Falcons in March, Hurst informed Falcons’ reporter Kelsey Conway the form of participant Atlanta is getting.
“For me, I’ve all the time form of prided myself on being a well-rounded tight finish. Popping out of the SEC I used to be in a position to do the run sport and the physicality stuff, Hurst informed Conway. However you realize being 6’5, 265 lbs, and with the ability to run the best way that I do places quite a lot of stress on linebackers quite a lot of stress on safeties. I believe I’m in a position to stretch the sector vertically rather well. I used to be in a position to present that somewhat bit in Baltimore right here and there. It’s simply, I’m’ simply so excited in regards to the alternative as a result of I believe it’s going to be superior for my skillset. And once more I simply wish to contribute as a lot as I can to the Falcons.”
With the form of versatility, mentality and work ethic Hurst has, Falcons gamers, coaches, and followers must be enthusiastic about this one.
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