2017 Season Countdown: #3A Maurice Hurst, Jr.

2017 Season Countdown: #3A Maurice Hurst, Jr.


August 30, 2017

Name: Maurice Hurst, Jr.
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 282 lbs.
High school: Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #73
Last year: I ranked Hurst #24 and said he would be a part-time starting defensive tackle. He made 34 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 78

Hurst was considered by some to be a top-30 national player going into 2016, but I had him ranked #24 on the team. He didn’t start a game, and he still put up some outstanding numbers for a nose tackle. Most offensive linemen can’t handle his combination of quickness and power by themselves, and they can’t always get help. Hurst was 10th on the team in tackles, 5th in tackles for loss, and 4th in sacks – not bad for a backup.

It was a little strange that a potential first round pick in Hurst was behind Matt Godin last season, but it kept intact a solid second unit that never gave offenses a rest. Michigan still has a good group of defensive linemen, but they’re younger and thinner, and Hurst’s playmaking is needed more. The Wolverines don’t have the same room for injury this season, and Hurst is a guy who can play virtually any position on the defensive line. This should be a big year for Hurst, and he fits well into a defense that likes to slant and blitz. He’s a potential All-American if he produces in a starting role, and he should also be a first team all-conference selection.

Prediction: Starting defensive tackle

6 comments

  1. Comments: 1863
    Joined: 1/19/2016
    je93
    Aug 30, 2017 at 8:59 AM

    Between Hurst & Gary…. D@mn, I’m excited!

    • Comments: 528
      Joined: 9/13/2015
      michymich
      Aug 30, 2017 at 10:13 AM

      Hurst deserves his ranking. Daddy must be proud. Quite the family legacy.

  2. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Aug 30, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    I had Gary behind Hurst for 3 reasons.
    1. Kemp established himself as a legit backup in the offseason. I feel better about him than Dwumfour, Marshall, or a freshman.
    2. Hurst’s more proven as a elite player – Gary is still trying to get there. Gary arguably wasn’t even one of our 6 best linemen last year.
    3. Hurst has played multiple positions including, critically, NT.

    Splitting hairs, and no one would be shocked if Gary was an all american this year, but that’s why I had Hurst 3 and Gary 4 instead of vice versa. Sorry, 3A and 3B – new math.

    • Comments: 528
      Joined: 9/13/2015
      michymich
      Aug 30, 2017 at 2:30 PM

      I agree but from mgoblog

      The same explosive get-off [as Hurst], but with a bigger frame. His teammates love his athleticism and think he has definite future pro potential

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Aug 30, 2017 at 2:35 PM

        NFL draft potential doesn’t have anything to do with the countdown, although obviously there is strong correlation.

        • Comments: 528
          Joined: 9/13/2015
          michymich
          Aug 30, 2017 at 9:55 PM

          Don Brown:

          Your backup defensive line, are you pleased with their progress?
          “Yeah. Really happy with Rashan, Mo Hurst, Bryan Mone, Winovich. Carlo Kemp has vastly improved. Lo Marshall has vastly improved. You feel good about what Aubrey Solomon’s bringing to the table. We’re getting some solid play out of Reuben [Jones] and also Kwity Paye; young freshman’s being doing some good things and has taken a number of reps in camp that we feel he has tremendous upside.”

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