Ted Hurst Compared To Baby Giraffe
September 1st, 2026
Baker Mayfield weighs in on the rookie.
Joe can’t wait for fans to see more of rookie receiver Ted Hurst.
The Bucs’ third-round draft pick gets rave reviews from all corners.
Last week, Rondê Barber playfully compared Hurst to Randy Moss on his WFLA-TV streaming show. Joe still remembers a group of Jets reporters gawking at Hurst during Bucs-Jets Hurst practice and wondering why New York didn’t draft him. (The Jets took receiver Omar Cooper at the end of Round 1.)
Joe has seen what Hurst can do with his flexible and explosive 6-4, 206-pound frame and strong hands. He’s been a menace in practice.
Baker Mayfield had an interesting analogy for Hurst during his recent sitdown with the Green Light podcast.
“You add in a guy like Ted Hurst, big body guy. He kinda looks like a young, baby giraffe running around there a little bit. Just high-points the ball, physical,” Mayfield said.
Hurst did little in preseason, other than grab a couple of short throws and commit a foolish personal foul. So he’s very much an unknown to most fans. The pride of Georgia State, however, is about to jump on the big stage.
Joe’s not anointing Hurst a star, but he is a special talent. He seems primed to make the leap from practice warrior to productive and dangerous receiver.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:44 am
Okay 👍
This could be a fun game
Give Buc players animal names
September 1st, 2026 at 8:45 am
Here’s hoping he stays healthy.
Seems like the only one besides Godwin.
Godwin must be like the $6 Million Dollar man as much as he has been rebuilt.
September 1st, 2026 at 8:48 am
Forget the 40 time. I need Hurst’s official combine measurement from hoof to antler. We don’t care if he runs like a baby giraffe. Just make sure the DBs look like newborn deer. Lastly, if this baby giraffe develops Randy Moss hands, Tampa may need to build a taller enclosure.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:05 am
Start him at x
September 1st, 2026 at 9:09 am
Hopefully this Guy really develops into a great receiver.
September 1st, 2026 at 9:39 am
Yea, yea, man just get him the ball and don’t line him up to get clobbered. Also, don’t force throws two him with 1-2 guys draped all over him. Know we’re excited to have a man-beater comparable to Mike, but the downfield game has is not a strength for this team. Maybe Hurst can help change that, but he’s going to need accurate passes and placement to max his potential out.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:07 am
A baby giraffe? I remember Jameis once being referred to as looking like a baby giraffe when he runs.
Not a good comparison.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:31 am
Looks like the sky is the limit for Hurst on paper, but the game of football is play on the field. And at the same time it has been th ruin of many a poor boy. 🤔 The Bucs fortunately has lots of veteran leadership to help him along the way. The potential is there for Hurst. With proper guidance the Bucs might have found a hidden 💎
September 1st, 2026 at 10:47 am
Yeah, he does have a neck and a half on him.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Only question really is can he take an Nfl hit? Does he have that tough mentality. We will see. I have hope for him. Go Bucs.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:45 pm
you just don’t want to be referred to as a capybara if you play for the bucs…or in the nfl for that matter
September 1st, 2026 at 2:22 pm
BuccoMarty
You beat me to it.
September 1st, 2026 at 2:44 pm
” the $6 Million Dollar man ”
Funny to look back on that show now….
First of all – $6M was a STAGGERING amount of money in the 1970s
Now – you couldn’t even buy a bionic finger – much less whole arm, 2 legs and an eye for $6 million dollars… LOL
Let’s put it in Buccaneers terms.
In 1976 – the first year of this team’s existence – Season tickets…. SEASON tickets were selling for $100 – “behind the bench”…. Good seats in the lower section between the 30s – were $10 apiece…. Upper End Zone seats were $6….
Look at the prices for this form of ‘entertainment’ now. ‘Good’ seats are $350-$500 each. End zone (and nose bleed) seats are what – $150-$200?
Why has the cost – specifically for arena and stadium events (which includes big concerts) increased so dramatically???
$10 got you a “good” seat to see the Buccaneers or the Rolling Stones play in 1976.
$10 in 1976 – adjusted for inflation – is allegedly worth $58.70 today….. So why does it cost 10X that amount for a good seat at a big concert or Bucs game today?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueler???
September 1st, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Those were the days. 12 game season. 6 home games. Steve spurrier, Leeroy selmon, no wins, no problem. Beers were cheep. But the creme de la creme was those John mackay one liners after every eventual loss. Omg. After one loss a reporter asked the head coach what he thought about the teams execution. He replied he was all in favor of it! You cannot make this stuff up.
September 1st, 2026 at 7:41 pm
Despite all the hyperbole all the Buc beat writers are putting out there, the Bucs WR room isn’t all the deep or talented, not when you’re trying to puh a Bucs third round receiver as the next coming of Rany Moss, Good lord, he caught two balls in the preseason. Ebuku tailed off last season when the going got tough. McMillan is one play away from going back into long term traction. Godwin has slowed down and Tex Johnson traded his hands in for frying pans in the preseason. I hope the Buc defense is up to the task.