Being back in Carolinas 'just feels right' for former Gamecocks star Hayden Hurst

Hayden Hurst made a name for himself playing college football at the University of South Carolina, starring for the Gamecocks for three seasons, before being picked in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Hurst is now back in the Carolinas with the Carolina Panthers, and is going through training camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina this preseason.

The tight end spoke about what it’s like to be back near where he played college football at Carolina Panthers Fan Fest Wednesday night. Hurst joined the sideline reporter during the broadcast and spoke about returning close to Columbia.

“It’s so cool,” Hurst said. “Obviously I look up and see a lot of Carolina blue. But you know, there’s people with 81 garnet and black jerseys on, too. I’m signing Carolina [Gamecocks] helmets. It just feels right.”

Hurst is also wearing 81 with the Panthers and would love to have similar production in Charlotte to what he had in Columbia, South Carolina.

He was named first-team All-SEC as a junior in 2017 after catching 44 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns. Hurst also had an excellent sophomore season in 2016, catching 48 passes for 616 yards.

Panthers TE Hayden Hurst on chemistry with Bryce Young, learning another new offense

Fan Fest offered Panthers supporters a glimpse of what they will see in the 2023 season. The TV broadcast didn’t show full plays as to not help out future opponents. However, Carolina quarterback Bryce Young is clearly building chemistry with Hurst.

The sideline reporter at the event asked Hurst about Young and his relationship with the rookie QB after the two connected for a big play during Fan Fest.

“I think me and Bryce are starting to get on the same page. When he sees me in space like that he’s going to give me an opportunity to catch and run and just do what I do,” Hurst said.

Former Ravens first-round pick Hayden Hurst knows what good quarterback play looks like. He has played alongside former MVP Lamar Jackson and current Bengals star Joe Burrow.

Hurst has also played in a different offensive system each year, and he feels good about how he will be used with the Panthers.

Head coach Frank Reich is known for running a tight end-friendly offense, and Hurst believes he can excel in it.

“We’re running all across the field. You can tell I’m sweating all over,” Hurst said. “He preaches it in interviews and meetings all the time. He comes in our room and tell us how important we are to this offense. It just gives us more confidence to go out there and do our thing.”

It hasn’t been easy for Hurst to learn a new offense each year, but he is used to the process now. Learning the system has been a smooth process for the former South Carolina Gamecocks star this year.

“This is my sixth training camp, the sixth offense I’ve had to re-learn. I’ve done it every single year,” Hurst said. “I kind of have it down to a science now. The first week there’s some growing pains with it. But as you can see now, I’m playing faster and it just allows me to be myself.”