East-West Prospect Profile: Demontre Hurst

January 21st, 2013

Joe spoke with five prospects last week at the East-West Shrine practices and game that could be targets of the Bucs, three cornerbacks, one safety and one linebacker. The Bucs have a pattern for prospects: multiple years as a starter, played for a big-time program or conference, and served as a team captain. The Bucs rarely deviate from this pattern. Some have met all three qualifications for a Bucs draftee, some have not.

Name: Demontre Hurst
School: Oklahoma
Position: Cornerback
Size: 5-10, 183
Started: Three years
Captain: Yes
Have Bucs representatives spoken to him? Yes.
Background: Three-year starter, two-time second team All-Big XII. Hurst was fourth on the Sooners in tackles. In a loss to Notre Dame, which eventually played for the national title, Hurst had seven tackles, a sack and two pass break-ups. Finished senior season with 51 tackles, 43 of which were solo tackles.

Sales pitch to Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik:  I bring a lot of discipline and a lot of effort to the game. I really trust my ability to make plays. wherever the coaches put me at corner. I do my best to try to make the play. I may not be the biggest guy but I use my size to my advantage. I just try to make plays all over the field.

Profile: Hurst is strong against the run and can deliver a lick, traits that make Bucs coach Greg Schiano smile. Hurst has done his homework and knows the Bucs are in a dire need for cornerback depth and has targeted the Bucs as a team he is trying to impress.

Hurst touted his versatility to Joe last week.

“I can play nickel and corner and I am trying to work on those positions out here. I know in the league, you have to be versatile. That is what I am trying to do, use my versatility to my advantage. I played corner all four years in college and some nickel plays every now and then. I have learned that NFL teams are playing three corners a lot and I’m trying to take advantage of that.

“To be in this league, you have to tackle. Being a corner, when guys get to the outside you have to be able to bring them down. I am not the biggest guy in the world but I can tackle in the open field.”

Below is an example of how, as a junior, Hurst put receivers on the ground in a very unwelcome manner.

26 Responses to “East-West Prospect Profile: Demontre Hurst”

  1. Jacko101 Says:

    Nice hit

  2. Andrew 1 Says:

    lol. Swope agrees. ^^^^^^^^

  3. MadMax Says:

    Looks pretty good….projected to go in the later rounds. Could be a well spent 6th.

    If you want to see someone lay some devastating hits, utube DJ Swearinger, FS for the Gamecocks. I hope we can get him in the 3rd, even more if he makes it to the 4th.

  4. JobBucsFan 1.5 slim Says:

    He sounds like a possible Buccaneer, being a captain and 3 year starter from Oklahoma doesn’t hurt either. Hopefully he can be one of the jewels in later rounds but if we can land two of the top 5 corners first, that’s the direction we should take. Corner is just to important to miss on early and our most desperate need.

  5. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    “I may not be the biggest guy but I use my size to my advantage.”

    What??????

    That was a nice lick he put on #85.

  6. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ MadMax

    saw some youtube video on Swearing and that guy can definitely lay the wood. Another Free safety to keep an I on and is one of my personal favorites is Baccari Rambo from Georgia. heck of a football player.

  7. JobBucsFan 1.5 slim Says:

    I only see about 12 FA CBs that are worth looking at.

    E.J. Biggers I put him first because we should re-sign him
    Brent Grimes
    Sean Smith
    Chris Houston
    Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
    Derek Cox
    Cary Williams
    Mike Jenkins
    Leodis McKelvin
    Sheldon Brown
    Brice McCain
    Quentin Jammer

    After them, there are none better than what the draft may offer.

    So the biggest hurdle is there will be at least 18 teams looking at FA for CB help so the top 12 will come at a premium.

  8. ryan Says:

    I think the bucs could draft phillip thomas from fresno state , switch him to fs being tought by ronde and he is already a ball hawk, future ed reed

  9. SeanyMac in SC Says:

    Good video Joe, and DJ Swearinger is a hard hitting beast. I would love to see the Bucs pick him up.

  10. MTM Says:

    Hopefully his vertical is good. He is going need it to cover the ever increasingly tall receivers.

  11. Jacko101 Says:

    I like Ogletree from GA as ILB what do you guys think?

  12. RustyRhino Says:

    Baccari Rambo & Ogletree would be great additions.

  13. ShayneGoodfellow Says:

    Would love to see us pick up DJ Swearinger, dudes a monster

  14. Andrew2 Says:

    this kid is not even in the top 20 of cbs in the draft

    Johnthan Banks in the 1st, if Milliner is not available

    Robert Alford in the 5th

    sign 2 decent FAs, problem solved

    draft a fs in the 2nd if we cant sign Byrd or Goldson

    BOOM

  15. ShayneGoodfellow Says:

    My buc draft wish list, even if it is unlikely

    1st round- Jonathan Banks
    2nd round ( might have to move up a bit for one of these guys ) that TE from notre dame I keep forgetting his name or Ertz from Stanford
    3rd round- SWEARINGER! GUYS A BEAST!! him and barron..
    any one have ideas for the later rounds? not to familiar with the lesser known players

  16. Buccfaninhawkeyecountry Says:

    Whats that Elam dude from Florida projected to go. Dont watch much Gator football up here in Iowa but what i seen of him he seemed pretty legit.

  17. Andrew 1 Says:

    O hell yea that kid, Elam is a beast. its to bad he is small like Amahd Black, otherwise he would be a first round pick.

    @ ShayneGoodfellow

    a couple of good later round picks are North Carolina State CB David Amerson and Florida TE Jordan Reed.

  18. Jacko101 Says:

    There is NO Doubt that we should trade out of the 13th spot it is possible to get Both Ogletree from GA and The safety from Texas in the first round. If we work
    It correctly

  19. Jonny 3.3 Says:

    @Jacko, of all prospects why Ogletree? I don’t see one ILB prospect good enough to deserve a 1st round selection including Manti Te’o. Even though I think Ogletree is the best ILB prospect, I’ll be extremely disappointed if he was our 1st rd pick.

  20. MadMax Says:

    Hey Andrew, I checked out Rambo, yea, he can hit too. He’s probably going to be gone in the 2nd. Did you get your computer probs fixed?

  21. BIG POPPA Says:

    DO NOT TAKE HIM HE’S WAY TO SHORT 5 FOOT 10 INCHES UNLESS HE’S STILL THERE IN THE 7TH ROUND THEN GRAB HIM. THE LEAGUE PASSING GAME HAS CHANGED TEAM’S NOW HAVE HUGE TIGHT ENDS IN THE 6 FOOT 5 TO 6 FOOT 6 RANGE AND WHEN IN THE RED ZONE THE Q/B THROWS IT UP HIGH OVER SMALL C/B’S AND THEIR TIGHT ENDS JUST OUT JUMP THEM. GO FOR 6 FOOT 4 INCH TYPE C/B’S LIKE THE SEA HAWKS HAVE WHO CAN DEFEND TALL RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS IN THIS PASSING LEAGUE SYNDROME.

  22. Jbeachbuc Says:

    Looks like #85 didn’t want anymore of that. @ 1.5 slim, I like Torrie Cox on that list the most,but the kid cannot stay healthy. Jammer would be my choice.

  23. Andrew2 Says:

    1. Johnthan Banks CB Miss. State
    2. John Jenkins DT Georgia
    3. Khaseem Greene OLB Rutgers (Arthur Brown/Chase Thomas/Sean Porter if Greene gone)
    4. Ricky Wagner OT Wisconsin
    4. Stedman Bailey WR West Virginia
    5. Robert Alford CB SE Louisiana
    6. Chrstine Michael RB Texas A&M

    re-sign Bennett
    cut Black, Wright
    let Biggers, Miller walk
    ronder retires

    FAs
    Jairus Byrd S
    Martellus Bennett TE
    Chris Houston CB
    Sean Smith CB

  24. Andrew2 Says:

    1. Johnthan Banks CB Miss. State
    2. John Jenkins DT Georgia
    3. Khaseem Greene OLB Rutgers (Arthur Brown/Chase Thomas/Sean Porter if Greene gone)
    4. Ricky Wagner OT Wisconsin
    4. Stedman Bailey WR West Virginia
    5. Robert Alford CB SE Louisiana
    6. Chrstine Michael RB Texas A&M

    re-sign Bennett
    cut Black, Wright
    let Biggers, Miller walk
    ronder retires

    FAs
    Jairus Byrd S
    Martellus Bennett TE
    Chris Houston CB
    Sean Smith CB

  25. ShayneGoodfellow Says:

    @Andrew 1

    I will check those guys out.

    @Andrew 2

    I definetely agree with the Banks selection, Not sure about the Jenkins in the second round. I think were going to re-sign Miller, with Miller and GMC back as starters, two capable starters, If we do draft a DT for depth it will most likely be in rounds 4-7. Greene IMO will be gone mid to late 2nd round. You’re last 4 picks I do not know who they are. I agree we need to re-sign Bennett as it will most likely convice his brother to come to Tampa, that would be a great FA signing. A.Black has some potential, but yes we should cut Wright, let the team down and could not stay healthy, also did not play up to his contract when he was somewhat healthy. Dont think we should let Biggers go, he is a solid 4th CB and if an injury occurs not too bad off a 3rd. My gut tells me that Ronde will come back for one last year, he most likely knows with a good offseason and an improved secondary, we have a legit chance to be in the playoffs next year. BTW Sean Smith is most likely going to be franchised by the Dolphins, but I would also love to see him in Tampa just like you.

  26. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ MadMax

    Yes, thank you for the helpful tips. my computer works alot better now.