JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Max Hurleman is a do-it-all player who played a bit of cornerback, running back, and wide receiver during his college career, but has found his home in Pittsburgh at wide receiver.
In his first professional football game, Hurleman, who was a standout at Wyomissing High School, caught two passes for 29 yards and a touchdown during the two-minute drill before the half.
Quarterback Skylar Thompson engineered the drive, and hit Hurleman up the seam on the first play. Hurleman took a huge shot and got his welcome to the NFL moment, but held on.
Definitely felt that one a little bit,” Hurleman said. “Skylar did a great job of trying to protect me and to throw me back a little bit. I also didn’t do myself the biggest favor there. I was a little tight on my landmark, but Skylar definitely helped me out, threw a great ball and I was fortunate to come down with it. The first big hit of a game, it’s always (like), ‘Oh, OK, here we go. We’re playing ball.’ It hurts in the moment, but you kind of lick your lips and keep going.”
After sliding to catch his first career touchdown, Hurleman hit a backflip out of emotion. He said that it had long been a thought, but it was nothing he set out to do in his mind. It was somewhat spontaneous.
“It was a thought,” Hurleman said. “It was definitely a thought. … It was somewhat of a thought, somewhat spontaneous. Just, when you’re in the moment, you’re super excited, sometimes you gotta do a backflip.”
At his pro day, Hurleman received a variety of feedback from scouts about his position. Some wanted him to play offense, while others liked him at cornerback.
Hurleman is working as a return man for the Steelers in addition to his do-it-all gimmick on offense. Unsurprisingly, he looks up to Julian Edelman, who transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver. Some other star running backs who are elite receivers also fit the bill for players he models himself after.
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