Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Will the Michigan product push his way into the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft

The NFL has seen plenty of exceptional talent come from Michigan’s defensive front over the years. Maurice Hurst is the latest one to take his talents to the next level, and one of the best in recent memory.

Hurst has all of the skills anyone could want in a defensive tackle: speed, strength and quickness headline his long list of abilities.

The ex-Wolverine also boasts experience that most of his competitors lack, refining his footwork and pursuit of the quarterback each year through his senior season. The redshirt senior put his tools to task, making offensive lineman dread his assignment.

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Measurables

Position: Defensive Tackle

High School: Xaverian Brothers High School

School: Michigan

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 280 lbs

Age: 22

The obvious downside is his height, which cannot be changed or coached. Adding more weight is always possible, though maybe unnecessary in Hurst’s case.

Strengths

Hurst has a lightning-quick first step that gets him to the next level. The 280-pounder just cannot be blocked routinely and gets penetration play after play. As a result, he has 12.5 tackles for loss on the season, five sacks, a forced fumble and broke up one pass as well. /

Being a senior, Hurst has played a lot of football and has experience some other tackles don’t. He had more tackles for loss and more sacks each year since he was a sophomore, showing that his experience produced more efficient play.

The man packs a punch of strength with his quickness. He weighs 280 pounds and he was able to blow by everyone in front of him at the college ranks.

He also has a constant awareness of where the ball is. If Hurst can’t break into the backfield, he knows the play is still far from over, and is a great run stopper.

Weaknesses

He’s undersized for his position. Defensive tackles tend to be some of the largest people on the field, so weighing in under 300 pounds may raise some red flags.

Not only is his size an issue to report but the fact that he hasn’t been tested by bigger offensive linemen is also notable. He had no problem blowing past offensive linemen in college but in the NFL, the offensive fronts are a lot bigger and Hurst may very well face an extensive learning curve to combat that change.

He has limited weapons other than that quick first step. On passing downs, if he doesn’t break through the line immediately, he is prone to seeing double-teams and has to earn his way to the backfield.

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Final Thoughts

The team that bites will get themselves a polished, pro-ready talent that will be ready to start at defensive tackle immediately in 2018. He’s one of the most talented tackles in this draft class but is knocked solely for his size.

Hurst could go as early as the end of the first round though his height may scare away suitors until the second round.

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