Hayden Hurst Bio
Hayden Randle Hurst is an American professional football tight end known for his reliability as a pass catcher and his versatility across multiple offenses. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Hurst, originally drafted as the first tight end off the board that year, has played for several teams in the National Football League. Beyond his work on the field, he earned recognition for his community service through the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Hayden Randle Hurst was born on August 24, 1993, in Jacksonville, Florida. He grew up in the Jacksonville area and attended The Bolles School, a well-known private school in the region. Hurst played both football and baseball for the Bulldogs, showing two-sport talent during his high school years, and he graduated in 2012.
Hurst came from a strong athletic environment in Jacksonville, where football and baseball are deeply rooted in the local sports culture. His size, listed at 6 feet 4 inches and around 245 pounds, made him a natural fit for tight end duties at the next level. Those formative years in Jacksonville helped shape his competitive approach and his willingness to switch sports when opportunity called.
Path to American Football
Rather than heading straight to college football, Hurst was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round of the 2012 MLB Draft and signed with the team for a $400,000 signing bonus. He turned down a baseball scholarship from Florida State to begin his professional baseball career. Hurst spent two seasons in the Pirates organization before stepping away from the sport.
In his only minor league pitching appearance, Hurst struggled with control, walking five batters and throwing two wild pitches in one-third of an inning. He later explained that he left baseball because he was afflicted by the yips, a term for a sudden loss of fine motor skills that affected his pitching. With his baseball path closed, Hurst walked onto the South Carolina football team and began the transition that would define his career.
Hayden Hurst Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Hurst made an immediate impression at South Carolina. In 2015, as a true freshman, he played in all 12 games for the Gamecocks and finished the year with eight catches for 106 yards. His role grew in 2016, when he caught 48 passes for 616 yards as a sophomore, including a career-high seven receptions against Kentucky. His strong play earned him a scholarship the following spring.
As a junior in 2017, Hurst once again played in all 13 games, catching 41 passes for 567 yards and two touchdowns while earning unanimous selection to the All-Southeastern Conference first team. He declared for the 2018 NFL Draft on December 7, 2017, and finished his college career with three receptions for 41 yards in the Outback Bowl against Michigan, a 26–19 South Carolina victory.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2018–2019)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Hurst in the first round, 25th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the first tight end taken that year. He signed a four-year rookie deal worth $11 million with a $6.1 million signing bonus. Hurst recorded his first career touchdown reception on October 28, 2018, a 26-yard pass from fellow rookie Lamar Jackson in a loss to the Carolina Panthers, and closed his rookie season with 13 catches for 163 yards and one score.
In 2019, Hurst built on that foundation. He caught a one-yard touchdown from Jackson in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, then posted three receptions for 73 yards against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, including a career-long 61-yard score that helped Baltimore clinch a playoff spot. Hurst finished the 2019 regular season with 30 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns, then added four catches for 53 yards and a score in the Divisional Round loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2020–2021)
On March 16, 2020, Baltimore agreed to trade Hurst and a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for second and fifth-round picks. Hurst made an early impact with Atlanta, catching five passes for 72 yards and his first touchdown as a Falcon in a Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He ended the 2020 season with 56 receptions for 571 yards and six touchdowns.
The Falcons declined Hurst’s fifth-year option on May 3, 2021, putting him on track for free agency. In 2021, he landed on injured reserve in November with an ankle injury and was activated in December, finishing the year with 26 catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022)
Hurst signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on March 18, 2022, and was named the team’s starting tight end. He started 13 games and recorded 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season. In the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills, Hurst added a receiving touchdown in the 27–10 victory.
Carolina Panthers Era (2023)
Hurst signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 15, 2023. His season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 15 after dealing with post-traumatic amnesia from a concussion suffered earlier in the year. Hurst finished 2023 with 18 receptions for 184 yards and one touchdown across nine games, and the Panthers released him on March 13, 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
On March 15, 2024, Hurst signed with the Los Angeles Chargers to continue his career. He appeared in nine games during the 2024 season and finished with eight receptions for 73 yards. His role with the Chargers has reflected his value as a veteran pass-catching tight end who can contribute in multiple offensive packages.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hurst’s career is anchored by several milestones, including being the first tight end selected in the 2018 NFL Draft and earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2017. His 61-yard touchdown from Lamar Jackson against the Buffalo Bills in 2019 remains the longest reception of his career. In 2021, he received the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award, honoring his work off the field in addition to his contributions on it.
Hayden Hurst Career Wins
Hurst’s professional record is built around consistent receiving production rather than team championships. Across his NFL stops with the Ravens, Falcons, Bengals, Panthers, and Chargers, he has served as a starting or rotational tight end, posting season totals that include 56 catches for Atlanta in 2020 and 52 catches for Cincinnati in 2022.
NFL Career Highlights
Some of Hurst’s most memorable performances include his 2019 playoff game against the Tennessee Titans, where he caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, and his role in Cincinnati’s 2022 Divisional Round win over Buffalo. His two-touchdown effort against the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 also stands out as one of his signature regular-season games.
College and Early Career Achievements
At South Carolina, Hurst finished with unanimous first-team All-SEC honors in 2017, a recognition that helped push his draft stock into the first round. Earlier in his athletic life, he also signed a professional baseball contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012, a rare distinction for a player who later reached the NFL.
Hayden Hurst Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hurst’s father, Jerry Hurst, has been publicly referenced in connection with Hayden’s playing career. In December 2023, Jerry Hurst posted on social media about his son’s post-traumatic amnesia following a concussion, drawing attention to the medical issue.
Personal Life
Hurst was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where he attended The Bolles School before pursuing both baseball and football. He has remained connected to the Jacksonville community through his ongoing NFLPA Alan Page Community Award work, which reflects his commitment to service off the field.
2025 Season Outlook
Hurst enters 2025 continuing his tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers after signing with the club in March 2024. His 2024 production, eight receptions for 73 yards across nine games, suggests the Chargers view him as a complementary piece in their tight end group. A return to health and a defined role in the passing game could push his numbers higher in 2025.
The bigger storyline for Hurst in 2025 centers on opportunity. With another year in the Chargers’ system, he has a clearer chance to establish chemistry with the team’s quarterbacks and offensive scheme. If he can stay on the field and carve out a steady snap count, his veteran presence should remain a stabilizing factor for the tight end room.
Looking ahead, Hurst’s contract situation, tied to a deal that runs through 2026, gives him roster security as he works to extend his career. Health will be the most important variable after the concussion issues that limited him in 2023, and a clean 2025 campaign would reinforce his reputation as a dependable pass-catching tight end.