Hayden Hurst

Hayden Hurst's Biography

Hayden Randle Hurst is a talented American professional football player known for demonstrating exceptional skills as a tight end. Born on August 24, 1993, Hayden has led a fruitful career in the National Football League (NFL), currently representing the Los Angeles Chargers. His journey to NFL stardom began in college, where he passionately participated in football at South Carolina, consequently earning his selection by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.

As an athlete from a young age, Hurst attended The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he played both football and baseball for the Bulldogs athletic teams. After his high school graduation in 2012, Hurst managed to catch the attention of the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading to his selection in the 17th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He joined the Pirates after agreeing to a sizeable signing bonus of $400,000, which had him forgoing a baseball scholarship offer from Florida State. Hurst’s baseball career was short-lived, as he devoted two seasons to the Pirates’ organization before transferring his athletic prowess to South Carolina’s football team.

The starting point of Hurst’s college football career was far from glamorous. In his first minor league pitching appearance, he walked five batters and threw two wild pitches in one-third of an inning, a performance he attributed to a mental block in sports known as “the yips.” This event forced him to self-reflect, and consequently, he decided to give up baseball.

Undeterred, Hurst made his debut as a football freshman at South Carolina in 2015, playing all 12 games and recording an impressive eight passes for 106 yards. He continued this dedication into his sophomore year in 2016, with a notable performance that led him to catch a career high seven passes against Kentucky, culminating in 48 passes for 616 yards across all 13 games. His performance didn’t go unrewarded, as he received a scholarship the following spring.

Hurst’s junior year in 2017 elevated his football prowess to new heights. He participated in all 13 games, including the 2018 Outback Bowl, making 44 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns. His efforts earned him a unanimous position in the 2017 All-Southeastern Conference football team. Consequently, he declared for the 2018 NFL draft on December 7, 2017, paving the way for his professional football career.

His unwavering performance saw him being selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, holding the honor of being the first tight end taken. Shortly after, on June 19, Hurst penned a four-year deal worth $11 million, which featured a $6.1 million signing bonus. His first career touchdown reception was a notable 26-yard pass from fellow rookie Lamar Jackson, contributing to his overall career stats of 13 available receptions, 163 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown in 2018.

The following year saw Hurst making significant career advancements. He scored his second career touchdown during a game against the Arizona Cardinals. This performance, along with his impressive three passes for 73 yards against the Buffalo Bills, including a career-long 61-yard touchdown pass, contributed to the Ravens clinching a playoff berth. Despite his commendable performance during the playoffs, Hurst and the Ravens had to face a 12-28 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Immersed in the fluctuations of trade dynamics of the sport, Hurst was traded by the Ravens to the Atlanta Falcons in March 2020. This trade deal also involved a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, in return for 2020 second and fifth-round picks. During one of the games against Dallas Cowboys, Hurst kick-started his journey with the Falcons by making five passes for 72 yards.

Hurst’s transition from one team to another continued, leading him to sign a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on March 18, 2022. This unique opportunity allowed him to establish his dominance as a starting tight end, making a record 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns within the span of 13 starts.

As his contract with the Bengals expired, Hurst moved to the Panthers on a new three-year contract in 2023. However, the season was tainted with a health scare, where he suffered a concussion, resulting in post-traumatic amnesia. Despite his swift return to practice, Hurst was placed on an injury reserve shortly after.

Hurst’s departure from the Panthers came about in March 2024, marking the end of a tiring yet rewarding NFL journey. Consequently, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, bolstering their team’s attacking prowess.

Beyond his professional career, Hayden Hurst has also made notable contributions off-field. He received the prestigious honor previously named the Byron “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year Award for his exceptional service to the community and leadership in the field of professional sports.