With the Senior Bowl now in the books, the NFL draft season is officially underway - and for the Philadelphia Eagles, the clock is already ticking.
Philly’s front office, led by the ever-calculating Howie Roseman, has a track record that’s hard to ignore. Over the past five drafts, Roseman has leaned heavily on talent from powerhouse programs like Alabama and Georgia, selecting 10 players from those two schools alone. But don’t let the big-name bias fool you - Roseman knows how to find gems in the rough, too.
Take Milton Williams out of Louisiana Tech. He became a key rotational piece during the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX run.
Or Jalyx Hunt from Houston Christian - a third-round pick who led the team in sacks this past season. Not exactly household names on draft night, but both proved they belonged on the big stage.
Enter Ted Hurst.
If you’re not familiar with the Georgia State wide receiver yet, that’s about to change. Hurst turned heads all week at the Senior Bowl, and he might just be the next mid-round breakout waiting to happen in Philadelphia.
Four years ago, Hurst was a zero-star recruit. No offers.
No buzz. Just a kid from Savannah, Georgia, chasing a dream.
His break came thanks to his brother, who started cold-calling college programs until Valdosta State gave him a shot. Hurst made the most of it, and after two years at the Division II level, he transferred to Georgia State - where he quickly became a Sun Belt standout.
Hurst’s production speaks for itself. In 2024, he posted 56 catches for 961 yards and a school-record nine touchdowns.
He entered the transfer portal with hopes of landing at a Power Five school, but ultimately chose to return to Georgia State - and he didn’t miss a beat. In 2025, he racked up 71 receptions, 1,004 yards, and six touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the most productive receivers in the country.
And it’s not just the numbers that stand out. Hurst checks a lot of boxes that NFL scouts look for.
He’s 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, with 33 1/4-inch arms and 10-inch hands. He runs a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and made Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” last summer - a nod to his rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism.
But it was what he did on the field in Mobile that really turned heads.
During the first day of Senior Bowl practice, Hurst made the kind of play that gets scouts leaning forward in their seats. Matched up one-on-one against Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal, Hurst blew past him on a go route and hauled in a one-handed grab down the sideline.
The crowd - coaches, scouts, and fans alike - erupted. It was a moment.
And for Hurst, it was just another example of what he brings to the table.
“I’m a playmaker,” Hurst said after practice. “I can get the ball quick at the line of scrimmage and go for 70 yards.
I’m also a deep threat and can make plays that’s going to excite everybody. I can make plays that’s going to get the team rowdy.”
He’s not wrong. Over the past two seasons, Hurst led the FBS with 34 catches of 20-plus yards. That kind of big-play ability is hard to find - especially in the middle rounds of the draft.
And the Eagles might just have a need for that kind of juice.
With A.J. Brown’s future in Philly uncertain - trade rumors continue to swirl - the Eagles could be looking at a major shakeup at wide receiver.
Even if Brown stays, depth behind him and DeVonta Smith is thin. Adding a dynamic, versatile threat like Hurst could give the offense a much-needed boost.
This year’s receiver class is deep. There’s a real chance we see five wideouts go in the first round - names like Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Makai Lemon (USC), Denzel Boston (Washington), and Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M) are all in that mix. Then you’ve got fringe first-rounders like Zachariah Branch (Georgia), Chris Bell (Louisville), and Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), plus a cluster of Day 2 guys including Germie Bernard (Alabama), Chris Brazzell (Tennessee), Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. (both from Indiana).
But if the Eagles are looking for value in the third or fourth round, Hurst - currently ranked No. 89 overall by NFL Mock Draft Database - might be the guy. He’s got the production, the traits, and now, the Senior Bowl tape to back it all up.
Oh, and for what it’s worth - his mom’s a Cowboys fan. That might raise a few eyebrows in Philly, but Hurst says he grew up watching Michael Vick and has always had a soft spot for the Eagles.
“Coming from a smaller school, it’s about having the opportunity to compete against guys from the Power 5, showing that we’ve got talent, too,” Hurst said. “I’m a competitor. And I can compete with the best in the world.”
Don’t be surprised if the Eagles - always on the lookout for underrated talent - take a long look at Hurst this spring. He’s got the tools.
He’s got the mindset. And after what he showed in Mobile, he’s got a growing list of believers across the league.