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The Los Angeles Chargers today signed tight end Hayden Hurst.
Hurst, a former first-round selection (25th overall) by Baltimore in the 2018 NFL Draft, has started 43-of-84 career games (including the postseason) with the Ravens, Falcons, Bengals and Panthers. In the regular season, he has hauled in 195 career receptions for 1,902 yards (9.8 avg.) and 15 touchdowns, adding 194 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17 catches (11.4 avg.) in five playoff games. Hurst had the most productive season of his career in 2020 with Atlanta, setting career highs 56 receptions, 571 receiving yards and six touchdown grabs. He started 24-of-25 games played, including the playoffs, over the last two seasons, helping Cincinnati to an AFC Championship appearance in 2022 after recording his second career season with at least 50 receptions.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native played three seasons (2015-17) at the University of South Carolina, catching 100 passes for 1,281 yards (12.8 avg.) and three touchdowns. Hurst was a team captain each of his final two years for the Gamecocks and, in his final season, was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and a semifinalist for the Mackey Award, which annually recognizes college football's top tight end. Prior to walking onto the football team at South Carolina, Hurst was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and played a pair of seasons in the Pirates farm system. He played football and baseball at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, helping lead the Bulldogs to a pair of state baseball titles, earning 2012 Rawlings second-team All-America honors.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed tight end Hayden Hurst.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst catches a pass during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst celebrates his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst in action against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (81) runs after taking a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson 61-yards for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (81) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst runs a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) works against Washington Football Team strong safety Landon Collins (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. The Washington Football Team won 34-30. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst scores against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) catches a pass for a touchdown as Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst gains yards after ccatching a pass during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (88) catches a pass and runs with Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long, Jr. (51) in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Bengals won 20-16. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (88) makes a touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of an NFL division round football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (88) misses the catch against Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid, rear, during the first half of the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sep. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 24-10. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) plays against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst, left, runs as Miami Dolphins cornerback Parry Nickerson defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
