Hayden Hurst Bio
Hayden Hurst is an American football tight end born on August 24, 1993, in Jacksonville, Florida. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he attended The Bolles School before playing college football at South Carolina. Hurst originally pursued professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, then transitioned to football and became a preferred walk-on for the Gamecocks. He earned first-team All-SEC recognition after the 2017 season and entered the NFL Draft following his junior year.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Hurst in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 25th overall pick, making him the first tight end chosen that year. NFL scouting evaluations described him as a smooth, sure-handed receiver with the toughness, size and athleticism to stretch defenses and contribute as a combination tight end. He later played for Baltimore, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Carolina, including a productive 2022 season as a starter for the Bengals. The Panthers signed him in 2023, and the Los Angeles Chargers added him for the 2024 season.
As of September 15, 2026, Hayden Hurst is not listed on the Los Angeles Chargers’ official 2026 roster, and the NFL player page identifies his status as unrestricted free agent. His current team should therefore be described as unverified rather than the Chargers. His playing profile has centered on reliable hands, toughness over the middle, route-running versatility and the ability to align in multiple formations.
- Position
- TE