Ted Hurst transferred to the Georgia State Panthers in 2024, looking to catapult his college football career and keep his NFL dreams alive after spending his first two seasons at Division II Valdosta State Blazers. After a strong first year at Georgia State, he followed up with a breakout final season, setting career highs in receptions and receiving yards, while earning First-Team All-Sun Belt honors. Hurst hauled in 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns across 12 games. He also caught 16 of 27 contested targets, gained 374 yards after the catch, and posted seven drops.
Hurst wrapped up his college career with 287 receptions for 2,982 yards and 25 touchdowns, including 127 receptions for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns during his time with the Panthers.
The Georgia State Panthers’ WR has continued to soar on draft boards
Georgia State Panthers, Ted Hurst
Nov 1, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Georgia State Panthers wide receiver Ted Hurst (16) makes a touchdown catch against the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Ted Hurst’s breakout 2025 season boosted his draft stock, but the pre-draft process also helped him become a household name. He first stood out at the Senior Bowl and then followed that up with a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. At the Combine, Hurst displayed his athleticism, measuring at approximately 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds, running a 4.42 40-yard dash, posting an impressive 11’3″ broad jump, and a 36.5″ vertical jump, scoring a near-perfect 9.90 RAS.
He went from beginning last season as a projected undrafted free agent to emerging as a late Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Panthers’ WR dubbed a value pick for the late rounds
Georgia State Panthers, Ted Hurst
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American Team wide receiver Ted Hurst (7) of Georgia State works in passing drills during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
In a Sports Illustrated article, Justin Melo highlighted ten wide receiver prospects as great value picks for the late rounds. Melo listed Ted Hurst, noting his impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, where he held his own against the top prospects from major programs, and his athleticism at the NFL Combine, including his 40-yard dash for a 206-pound frame, along with his impressive vertical and broad jump. Lastly, he wraps up with Hurst’s Georgia State career.
“Ted Hurst has emerged as everyone’s favorite small-school receiver in this NFL Draft. The former Georgia State standout was outstanding at the Senior Bowl, proving he could hang with prospects from top programs,” Melo said.
“Hurst ran a 4.42 at the NFL Combine, an excellent result at 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds. He also leaped a 36.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-3 broad jump after two really productive seasons with the Panthers, accumulating 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns.”
Also Read: “Broke Out of His Shell”: UConn Huskies All-American Is a Late-Round Value Pick