Todd Bowles Talks Ted Hurst Elite Ability, Starting Potential
August 14th, 2026
Ted Hurst (left) alongside Emeka Egbuka.
How good is third-round-pick receiver Ted Hurst?
Joe remembers when the Bucs drafted talented Mike Williams in Round 4 of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was a heck of a prospect and the Bucs installed him the No. 1 receiver immediately. Despite facing double teams, Williams racked up 65 catches for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie — and the Bucs marched to a 10-6 record.
Joe looks at Hurst in practice and sees a bigger, better, stronger and faster version of Williams. (Joe hesitates to compare anyone to Mike Evans, but Hurst certainly gives off Evans vibes.)
During a 1-on-1 chat with Todd Bowles on Wednesday afternoon following two good practices for Hurst against the Jets, Joe asked the head coach about his top rookie on offense.
JoeBucsFan.com: Ted Hurst, what can you say about him? Looks like you’ve found a gem.
Todd Bowles: Some things to learn, obviously; he’s learning, too. But he can go up and get the ball with the best of them. If you put it up there and he’s 1-on-1, covered or uncovered, there’s a very good chance he comes down with it.
Joe: Last year when Jacob Parrish was drafted, you very quickly said he can start in the NFL, he can play outside corner in the NFL. Is Ted Hurst on a similar plane?
Bowles: I feel he can go out there and play. It’s a little early to tell whether he compares to Parrish or not. But he’s made some splash plays in practice and in these scrimmages here [against the Jets] and I’m excited to see him play under the lights.
Pretty cool how Bowles thinks Hurst’s ball-snatching skills are among the best in the business. The Joe typing here has been barking on the Ira Kaufman Podcast for months that the Bucs should not hesitate to play Hurst if he is ready, maybe even start him after he gets his feet wet.
Get the best players on the field.
Ira Kaufman Talks All The Need-To-Know From Jets-Bucs Practices, New Todd Bowles Comments, And Much More
August 14th, 2026 at 10:46 am
Mike Williams’s rookie season was something special. If Hurst has anything close to that kind of season, its going to be a good one.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Hurst will be better than Egbuka was in his rookie season last year. You can take that to the bank.
Especially in the 2nd half of the year.
Hurst is a WR1 in the making.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Not going to get over my skis here, but feel pretty darn comfortable with WR 1-5
August 14th, 2026 at 10:56 am
i would like to see him improve his route running to create more separation before throwing him in the starting line-up but the kid is super talented for sure…
GO BUCS!!!!
August 14th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Yo Joe
So let me get this straight
Terrion Arnold isn’t good enough to be a Buc
But he’s good enough to be signed by the Super Bowl champions Seahawks? (a team with better cornerbacks then the Bucs)
Maybe if we didn’t overpay every reliable starter we’d have some cap space
Then we don’t sign Diggs either, he signs with the Commanders for 1/3 of what we paying Godwin
One injury to our Wide Outs and Corners this season will be over
Thanks a lot Jason LIGHT !!!
August 14th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Jarrett Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Maybe if we didn’t overpay every reliable starter we’d have some cap space
____________
There’s an uncomfortable truth hidden in there somewhere.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:12 am
He seemed to excel at crossing routes and slants in college. He never played with a Qb with half of the ability as Baker. Or even the Bucs backups. The poor Qb play really stood out in his highlight reel. He was dealing with some really bad passes. His route tree is limited at this point so I think it might curtail his snaps this year. Will he eventually development into a true #1 and the Bucs new X WR? That’s the big Question. I don’t think we will find out this year. He has a extremely high ceiling and that’s exciting.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:15 am
“Sh*t for brains will do when you’ve got luck”
Baker has to feel awful lucky. This Joe going on about Hurst makes me think that this Joe thinks Hurst is better than Mike. Wouldn’t that be a hoot.
The other reason Baker has to feel awful lucky?
What DrunkBucsFan said.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:21 am
How’s the rookie TE for the Jets doing? The one some folks and Joe’s wanted to draft. Curious if he’s been the elite guy that some thought he would be as a TE.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Terrion Arnold is 1/2 thug and 1/2 moron, who hired out assault and battery.
Believe it or not there was a time when being a criminal was a bug , not a feature.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Godwin, Egbuka, JMac are somewhat injury prone.
Hurst will get a lot of playing time this year, even if he isn’t a starter.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Evans, Godwin, Antonio Brown. Best WR core in Bucs history. One of the greatest WR Trios in NFL history.
But this WR group looks special. If they can stay healthy.
Godwin, Egbuka, McMillan, Hurst, Tez Johnson….
Are you kidding me?
If they can stay healthy. And the O-line can stay healthy.
Baker could win the MVP.
All depends on the health of our O-line.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
I barely remember Moke Williams. What happened with him
August 14th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Just a reminder. Ted Hurst is a combo of George Pickens/AJ Green.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
JL might have the best eye for drafting wrs that we have ever seen
August 14th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
@Fred McNeil
Unfortunately, Mike Williams passed away from a construction accident. I can’t believe him, Doug and Vicent are all gone.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
I agree with you Joe! Get the best players on the field!! They may make some mistakes. Most players, no matter how long they have been in the league, make mistakes! They will learn faster with more snaps!!