2015 Season Countdown: #39 Maurice Hurst, Jr.

Maurice Hurst, Jr. (image via MGoBlog)

Name: Maurice Hurst, Jr.
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 281 lbs.
High school: Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #73
Last year: I ranked Hurst #41 and said he would be a backup nose tackle. He made 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 blocked extra point.

Hurst earned quite a bit of buzz during the spring of 2014 and in practice last season, but it never translated into a great deal of playing time. He appeared in eight games and made 3 tackles total. However, he was not one of those guys who made all his tackles against Appalachian State and then disappeared. His TFL came against Notre Dame, his extra point block came against Rutgers, etc. This is a player who appears to be working his way up the depth chart the old-fashioned way - by earning it in practice, having some success on the field, and showing why he should be on the field.

Hurst spent the spring game making David Dawson look silly and getting in the backfield, so that may mean good things are on their way. Unfortunately, Hurst plays a position where Michigan has a lot of depth, including redshirt junior Ryan Glasgow and sophomore Bryan Mone, not to mention redshirt junior Willie Henry, who can play nose tackle or 3-tech tackle. While nobody has proven to be a star just yet, there is potential for a couple of these guys to earn accolades and raise their draft status. I like Hurst as a situational pass rush guy, but his size is a question mark for an every-down player on the nose. I expect him to improve his stock incrementally this season.

Prediction: Backup nose tackle

2014 Season Countdown: #41 Maurice Hurst, Jr.

Maurice Hurst, Jr.

Name: Maurice Hurst, Jr.
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 277 lbs.
High school: Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #73
Last year: I ranked Hurst #82 and said he would redshirt. He redshirted.

Putting Hurst at #41 is perhaps the gutsiest ranking of the whole countdown, since he's jumping up 41 spots from last year and has yet to play a down of college football. I often choose not to believe the practice hype, but Hurst has been earning some buzz since last season when coaches and players were talking about his quickness off the ball. He also played some running back in high school, and I think his burst offers something that other nose tackles (Ondre Pipkins, Bryan Mone, Ryan Glasgow, Brady Pallante) lack, perhaps with the exception of Willie Henry. I bumped Hurst up the list a little bit because of the uncertainty surrounding Pipkins, who is recovering from a torn ACL. Regardless, I like a nose tackle who can penetrate and cause some havoc, and I also think Hurst could play some 3-tech tackle. His listed weight (277 lbs.) might be a drawback if accurate, but he looked bigger than that in the spring. I look for Hurst to start to make a name for himself and perhaps work his way into the lineup on passing downs, where his lack of bulk won't be as much of a hindrance and his quickness can force quarterbacks out of their comfort zone.

Prediction: Backup nose tackle

2013 Season Countdown: #82 Maurice Hurst, Jr.

Maurice Hurst, Jr. (#50, with Ross Douglas)

Name: Maurice Hurst, Jr.
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #73
Last year: Hurst was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 78.

Hurst committed to Michigan just over a year ago in June 2012. Doubling as a high school fullback, he garnered enough hype to be invited to the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.  He performed well in that game and was too powerful for many of the offensive linemen present, although the competition isn't quite as good as the U.S. Army and Under Armour games.

As a short, quick, and powerful player, I expect Hurst to be a nose tackle. Michigan seems pretty set at the position with fifth year senior Quinton Washington and sophomore Ondre Pipkins, along with a couple unproven guys in Richard Ash and Willie Henry, so Hurst should be able to redshirt this season.  There are good numbers along the defensive line, and he has some technical issues to work through, so there's no need to rush him onto the field.

Prediction: Redshirt

Getting to know Maurice Hurst, Jr.

Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, Jr is a high-intensity player that the Michigan coaches are going to love to work with.  The athletic defensive tackle plays with a lot of energy and a great motor. With his passion for the game and willingness to serve his community and help others, Maurice Hurst, Jr. has Michigan man written all over him. He kindly took the time out of his preparation and busy schedule to answer a few questions about becoming a Wolverine.

  

Can you elaborate on your decision of become a Wolverine, what stood out the most about Michigan, and what was your deciding factor?

 “The tradition is what stood out to me the most. Before I even had an offer to the university, I knew that it would be my top school. Another thing was the coaches. Coach Hoke is a very family oriented guy and that’s the type of person that I am also. With a Defensive Coordinator like Coach Mattison and his history how can you not put all of your faith inside of him and know he’s going to set your team up to make plays on the defensive side of the ball?”

Have the coaches discussed contributing next year, and do you have a preference in redshirting or not?

 “Coaches haven’t discussed whether I would redshirt or not and of course I would like to contribute right away. I want to go in there and dominate and if they think I need to redshirt, so be it.”

How has your father's experience in college and the NFL helped you with your path to becoming a collegiate athlete?

“I don’t really have a relationship with my father but knowing my father made it to the next level, I know that I have high expectations in the football world and need to live up and exceed those expectations.”

 Have the coaches discussed a playing weight for you, and where are you most comfortable?

“No, they haven’t really discussed a weight for me to play at with the coaches but between 285 and 290 would probably be the best weight for me to maintain my speed.”

 Is there a game on the schedule next year that you have circled?

“Every game to me is important but the Notre Dame game is probably one of the ones that I am most excited about. It is only going to be the second one under the lights, and the first one was so exciting with that catch by Roundtree.”

 We saw the moves on your highlight tape. Any dreams of a goal line fullback package at Michigan?

“I love being versatile and utilizing all of my athletic abilities and just love the sport.  If I had a chance to ever carry the ball in a Michigan uniform, it would be a wonderful experience.”

 Any idea of who you will be rooming with when you arrive at Ann Arbor?

 “No, I’m not sure yet who I’m going to room with.”

Do you have any pregame superstitions?

“Listen to music.”

Meal of choice the night before the game?

“Chicken Parm.”

Hobbies outside of football?

“Playing Madden and I love to volunteer my time to my community.”