Why Ted Hurst Is A “Freak”
April 24th, 2026
Each year, noted college football writer and FOX analyst Bruce Feldman puts out a “Freaks List.”
No, they don’t include anyone Joe bedded.
Feldman’s “Freak List” has exploded in recent years to forge a life of its own. NFL people devour it. College SIDs fight to get a player on the list. It’s supposed to highlight the top-100 freak athletes in college football.
Below is an excerpt from Feldman’s last “Freaks List” published over the summer. It details why Feldman listed Hurst just prior to the kickoff of the 2025 season.
No. 83 Ted Hurst, Georgia State, wide receiver
The 6-3, 198-pound Hurst, who spent two seasons at Valdosta State, had a big debut season in the Sun Belt, making 56 receptions for 961 yards and a Georgia State single-season record nine touchdowns. He had two TDs, including the game-winner with 15 seconds left, in Georgia State’s upset against Vanderbilt. Hurst clocked a laser-timed 4.51 40 this offseason and also broad jumped 10-8. His three-cone time was 6.93.
When it comes to being an athlete, you cannot teach being a great athlete and you can’t teach speed. A guy has it or he does not.
Throw in his 6-4 height, this is a very interesting pick by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:53 pm
We’ve had pretty good luck drafting receivers. Let’s hope this is another in that line. Nice x receiver. Have some time to develop.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:53 pm
But is he better than Evans?
April 24th, 2026 at 10:54 pm
Clearly we will be signing an eventual FA veteran CB
April 24th, 2026 at 10:56 pm
Really like this pick.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:56 pm
Missed out on atleast Lane trading back
April 24th, 2026 at 10:57 pm
Honestly, rather than the 40 time, what impressed me was hitting 22mph in pads on tape. That’s elite speed with pads on. He has some nice catches also, particularly in the red zone.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:58 pm
I trust Licht on WRs
April 24th, 2026 at 10:58 pm
Only the 7th WR drafted in the 3rd
April 24th, 2026 at 10:59 pm
And its clear Bowles handpicked his ILB. Its a Bucs life
April 24th, 2026 at 10:59 pm
6″4 WR with 4.4 speed
I’m on board with this pick
April 24th, 2026 at 11:00 pm
And we have two 5th round picks
April 24th, 2026 at 11:01 pm
NOPE. Nothing he does EVER makes ANY SENSE. None. Could’ve had Chris Bell there. And, Trotter!? Come TF ON. Weak AF.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
I trust JL on WR as well, just seems like we lost our way once Rodriquez came off board.
KJ Britt 2.0 and a tall WR w some speed
April 24th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
* No, they don’t include anyone Joe bedded.
Eww.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Take a flyer on McCoy.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Simeon4HOF Says: “And its clear Bowles handpicked his ILB. Its a Bucs life.”
Ding-Ding-DING. 💯 And, it’s like he lives in the PAST at all times, with everything.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Lakeland, the article says 4.51, not 4.4, 4.51 is average or below average for a wide receiver.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:06 pm
Nvm he went to Seattle didn’t even notice.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:06 pm
Bucs took their draft from an A+ to B- at best 2nite.
We need competition at CB and it’s not coming from this draft.
And we still lack ILB talent
W t f
April 24th, 2026 at 11:07 pm
That article is probably old
Ted Hurst ran a 4 42 at the combine
And he he measured at 6’4 206 lbs
April 24th, 2026 at 11:08 pm
Jason Lightard
April 24th, 2026 at 11:08 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 11:01 pm
NOPE. Nothing he does EVER makes ANY SENSE. None. Could’ve had Chris Bell there. And, Trotter!? Come TF ON. Weak AF.
————
We already have a Chris Bell – he’s called Godwin, and EE, and McMillian. Though Bell is a bit thicker – but he’s coming off major injury and might miss ‘26 season from what the tv said.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:09 pm
Simeon, I agree, the drafting of Trotter does not leave me feeling well at inside linebacker. I’m not sold on Trotter at all.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:09 pm
I don’t like ANY of the CBs in this draft. They are just too small or not talented enough. Not worth drafting this early.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:11 pm
We did sign secondary in free agency:
Signed CB Kemon Hall
Signed CB Chase Lucas
Signed S Miles Killebrew
April 24th, 2026 at 11:14 pm
Mark Carrier was drafted from Nicholls State and he was one of the best receivers in team history.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:16 pm
Ben Chukwuma is from Georgia State
He was teammate with Ted Hurst
April 24th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
‘74 Bucs Fan – NOPE. Irrelevant. This kid can’t play! Will be a non factor anytime soon IF at all. And, relying on CHRIS GODWIN is NUTS. Just how many more seasons do YOU think Chris will have left in Tampa!? Maybe, just one more. Two, at the most. Regardless, I’d rather have a PLAYMAKER like Bell, all day long. It’s just not even CLOSE. I’m not worried about Chris Freaking Godwin. He barely even played last season. And, was NOWHERE even close to being “Chris Godwin.” That is DELUSIONAL (and dishonest) to try using’ HIM for an EXCUSE (for JL). It’s a WR position, PERIOD. And, Chris Bell can line up and play EVERY WR position. You just get HIM the ball. Period. WATCH.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:20 pm
I was hoping Bucs would draft a taller WR. Happy with this pick. I sure hope we draft a CB though!
April 24th, 2026 at 11:20 pm
Jason Licht drafted 3 good football players
And they all are 21 years old, and physical
Great job Jason
April 24th, 2026 at 11:21 pm
I’m glad Jason Licht wasn’t listening to this fanbase
And drafting older players, who been in college forever
April 24th, 2026 at 11:23 pm
Our new WR1 from day 1.
Evans’ replacement.
Our new starting X Receiver.
Good pick, we needed an X Receiver badly.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:23 pm
Hurst’ 4.52 40 was recorded the summer of 2025. The kid obviously had great growth over the year. Thats why hes on the freaks list.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:25 pm
Not sure what that ‘laser’ is about, but his combine speed was 4.42.
People need to hold off with comparisons to Evans, the guy is 2″ shorter and 25lbs lighter. I really like him as a player, I like where the Bucs got him, just hold off on comparing him to a first ballot HOFer.
With that out of the way, he should fit in nicely playing the Evans role. But he’s also going to be a rookie and he’s not going to be in the slot, so I wouldn’t expect giant numbers. Still, getting a different style WR is a good thing.
Clearly the Bucs are giving Baker no excuses – he’s still got a loaded WR room, a good receiving TE, great receiving RBs, and when the line is healthy its one of the best in the NFL.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:25 pm
Louisville didn’t even have a QB who could get rid of the ball, and they had THREE STUD RB’s, before they all got hurt. One, was probably the second best RB in the country, behind only Love. Every time they got the ball into the hands of BELL… GrrrrREAT Things HAPPENED. Electric. The Miami game was NO FLUKE. He makes PLAYS. All over the field. Just get it to HIM. GameBreaker. 1st-ROUND talent, if not for the injury.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:27 pm
Some of you dudes cant help but to take a dig at our head coach. Grow up please or at least stop being one of the first to post. Like you guys have nothing better to do. We took two good agressive defensive picks and now a solid me13 replacement. Somebody who can win contedted passes in the red zone. Thats a great pick
April 24th, 2026 at 11:28 pm
The FA CB we signed are for ST or just camp players. May not make the team. I guess they’re waiting for the cut down phase of FA for corner. Risky business, poor planning.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:32 pm
Good pick. Needed an X. People comparing him to Pickens.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:34 pm
Full house cleaning soon enough. And the usual lemmings just keep marching towards the ocean cliff.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:35 pm
I like this pick, we had a need for a bigger WR and we got one.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:36 pm
I wonder if the Bucs try to use that extra 5th they got to move up to the top of the 4th?
Kyle Louis or the Miami corner Scott would both be excellent picks I’d have easily taken in the 3rd.
If we stay put, I really like Keith Abney II. Also Dani Dennis-Sutton is still there if we want to double up at edge. Michael Trigg is still there at TE. Some other guys I like… FSU’s Darrell Jackson Jr. at DT and Jalon Kilgore at S.
There’s also still some offensive lineman I like, but Licht has more than earned my trust when it comes to offensive lineman, so if he doesn’t see anyone, or if he takes some guy I’ve never heard of, that’s fine with me.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Ill calm down, Trotter pick just shocked me got stuck.
Hurst can be good no secret what we lack at X.
And we did sign special team players/secondary depth.
Trotter is a thumper. Just often seems like other teams mane maneveur this area of draft better than us annually.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:38 pm
Boy, I’d hate to see how upset y’all would be if you were Houston Rockets fans, lol.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:39 pm
That was a Zac Robinson pick. Being so close to the Georgia State program while in ATL. I’m sure knew the kid personally, or at least VERY close to his coaches there.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:40 pm
The draft is a crap shoot. Every pick after the first 15-20 comes with question marks. Reading mock drafts and looking at video does not make you a GM. NFL is a profession. Not so in college. How college stats translate is not formulaic. The draft is entertainment.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:41 pm
Bucamania Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 11:32 pm
Good pick. Needed an X. People comparing him to Pickens.
————
Yeah, that’s a good comp, better than the Evans comparison for sure. But he’s more of a developmental guy than Pickens, may need a year or two to get up to full speed, which is fine since the Bucs have plenty of guys (well until they all get injured like what happens each year).
He’s not the same type of player as Godwin, but I could see him taking that sort of career path. Remember Godwin came in, was early on the #4 WR behind Evans, D-Jax, and Humphries. So Hurst will be in that same role, and as a #4 WR, should be a mismatch – but he’s also coming from a lower level so he’ll probably need a little time to learn, but maybe not, rookie WRs tend to have a much easier time now than they used to.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:41 pm
Have to admit enjoying most of the reactions to the tall receiver just drafted and will just say as an 8th generation Florida Cracker that a tall receiver in the red zone is very important for our Bucs.
With that in mind it’s very important that Baker doesn’t ask for too much money that takes away from his ultimate goal.
It’s all about if he acts to help his team..
April 24th, 2026 at 11:41 pm
That’s exactly what THAT was 💯. No different than Bowles and Trotter. It’s all just the same CRAP with these guys! Rinse and Repeat.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:43 pm
And its frustrating seeing all this talent there and then suddenly JL (Bowles in his ear)
Comes up with a Hall, or Trask, or Braswell, or Morrison, or now Trotter. And then you look at that 2nd day of draft and see all these good players that turn out really good that could have better filled the holes talent upgrade more efficiently.
And the truth is that’s exactly why the Bucs hit a wall.
Because we have to keep redrafting the same position every 2 years to make up for a bust.
And its old. And needs to go if it continues.
JL is not good at Night 2, whether its Bowles handpicking busts or not;
Lost out on so much Defensive talent 2night and grabbed a 5th
April 24th, 2026 at 11:43 pm
So yall think this dude is a starter out the gate? This should have been a pick for OL or DL. I feel like this team will never get better if the trenches arent addressed
April 24th, 2026 at 11:44 pm
Baker’s “ultimate goal” is to GET PAID. Goal #1. Period. End of Story. You’ll see… Eventually. And, it does NO GOOD to have a tall lanky WR who CAN’T CATCH, get pushed around in the “EndZone.” LoL.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:47 pm
There’s still a lot of players on my board still available
April 24th, 2026 at 11:48 pm
Baker’s “ultimate goal” should be to GET PAID and LAID.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:48 pm
You guys are already acting like he’s Danny Peebles, lol.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:48 pm
I’m ready for Day 3
April 24th, 2026 at 11:49 pm
Love this pick. Now trade up for Kyle Louis in the top of the 4th and then take McCoy in the 5th.
April 24th, 2026 at 11:50 pm
@Simeon4HOF Preach!
April 24th, 2026 at 11:50 pm
This is a great time to be a Buc
April 24th, 2026 at 11:52 pm
Rusty Shackleford Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 11:48 pm
Baker’s “ultimate goal” should be to GET PAID and LAID.
———-
Based on stories I heard from USF at the time, that was the same thing Chris Chandler wanted after being traded to the Bucs and cruising the campus in his convertible. Which was 100% the correct move, a convertible in the early 90s, making almost a million dollars a year, picking up on hot college chicks when every peckerwood on earth didn’t have a camera out recording every second of your life, what a time to be alive!
April 24th, 2026 at 11:56 pm
@ C-spann4 – I’m not sure there were any O-Line left who could’ve been of much help day-1 to begin with, but I totally get what you are saying, and agree. There was already soooo many taken. I’m just saying IF you’re goin WR there, it just wasn’t even close. And, if you’re gonna take a swing there anyway, I’d rather have the 1st-Round TALENT. Only an injury held him back. Hell, nowadays, they ALL have injuries (EE and JMac included in college). It’s just the ‘timing’ of JMac’s and Bell’s, pushing them both into the 3rd-Round. They were BOTH 1st-Round WR’s performing at THE ‘highest’ levels, at BIG-TIME schools. Exact same thing with EE… The only ‘difference’ with HIM was that HE (didn’t need the $$$ desperately) was able to return to Ohio State (and their RECORD NIL) for one more year, and THEN enter a much ‘weaker’ WR-class the following year!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 11:58 pm
@ Rod Munch – I hear that LoL.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:02 am
Reading up more on Hurst, his workout profile is very very comparable to Christian Watson, who, if he could ever stay healthy, would be a good player.
Hurst had an 11′ 3″ broad jump, that’s insane. No idea what that means for a WR, since his vertical wasn’t anything special, but anything over 11′ is pretty amazing.
Anywho… HT | WT | Hand | ARM | 40 | VERT | BROAD
Ted Hurst 6’4″ | 206 | 9.75″ | 32.6″ | 4.42s | 36.5″ | 11’3″
C. Watson 6’4″ | 208 | 10.1″ | 32.5″ | 4.36s| 38.5″ | 11’4″
April 25th, 2026 at 12:08 am
Simeone4HOF Says: “…see all these good players that turn out really good that could have better filled the holes talent upgrade more efficiently.
And the truth is that’s exactly why the Bucs hit a wall.”
💯 💯 Yep. It’s absolutely mind-blowing. Same thing over and over again. I mean, at least Bain was so obvious, that not even JL could screw that one up. Lmao
April 25th, 2026 at 12:12 am
Christian Watson looked way more ‘polished’ to me. It’s a shame the local Plant HS kid can’t stay healthy.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:16 am
He was playing HS back when Brighthouse had their local Tampa Bay AND Orlando “High School” sports channels. Spectrum KILLED-IT after they bought em out. It was THE worst thing that could’ve ever happened. We were soooo LUCKY to have that (and I knew-it then), but now it’s GONE. It’s Pathetic. Horrible. A travesty. I’ve never been more PISSED.