https://www.nfl.com/prospects/maurice-hurst?id=32462018-0002-5598-8798-e46b4c7bd5a7
Hurst is the son a former NFL cornerback of the same name, though Nicole Page, the former Patriots cheerleader has been the only parent the younger Maurice has ever known. In fact, Maurice, Junior wears jersey 73 because it is the opposite of the number 37 his dad wore. The two-time All-Massachusetts high school football pick redshirted his first year in Ann Arbor. In 2014, he played seven games as a reserve (three tackles, one for loss). Four starts came his way in 13 games played during his sophomore season, and he responded with 35 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and three sacks. While Hurst isn't the biggest of tackles, he stays square against double-teams and his get-off and hustle outside the box helped him make 34 stops, 11.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks as a junior. EKG performed at the combine showed irregularities.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 1-2
NFL Comparison
Maliek Collins
Overview
Hurst is an upfield three-technique who gets out of the blocks ahead of his competition as soon as the starter's pistol goes off. His ability to come out fast and low should create opportunities to become a disruptive penetrator, but he has to prove that he has the strength to play through redirect blocks and hold up against NFL interior linemen. Will need to be cleared medically at re-check after heart irregularities showed up at combine.
Strengths
- Has disruptive initial quickness when ball is snapped
- Comes off the ball low and looking to eat in the backfield
- Once he gets into the gap, can get skinny and slither through
- Too quick for blockers to reach or trap
- Motor and movement get him access to the pocket as a rusher
- Flurries with his hands like a lightweight boxer
- Bats away early punch attempts creating balance advantages
- Light feet help him bounce from gap to gap challenging slow-footed linemen
- Makes plays well beyond his gap thanks to quickness and plus motor
- Quick to punch and disengage against move blocks on outside zone
- Effective in twist game
Weaknesses
- Is smallish for interior life
- Doesn't have the thick frame that lends itself to adding a lot more functional mass
- Big maulers can give him the blues when they square him up
- A firm punch will bounce him way out of his rush lane
- Has to close the gap on longer, stronger blockers or he gets in trouble
- Uses forward lean to create power that upper body is lacking
- Goes head-first into initial contact and loses sight of the ball
- Sticks to blocks and is slow to shed
- Pass rush comes from movement and twists over hand usage and rush counters
Sources Tell Us
"He's only going to play for 4-3, upfield teams as a three-technique. That's the only place that works for him. He's got a get-off that is crazy fast and if he gets with the right coordinator, he's going to be tough to block." - AFC team area scout.