College Football

Michigan Football: Getting Maurice Hurst Back Would be Huge

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:25 p.m. ET

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Maurice Hurst has been one of the most underrated players on the Michigan football team. But if he returns for a fifth-year, it would be huge for the Wolverines.

The 2016 Michigan football team has a lot of great players. Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst is one of them.

While much of the attention and the headlines go to guys like Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis, Hurst quietly put together a stellar season. The fourth-year junior finished with 30 tackles, 9.5 TFL and four sacks.

Lewis and Peppers are both expected to be first-round picks in the 2017 NFL draft. Michigan football also has Chris Wormley, Taco Charlton and Ryan Glasgow, who are all expected to go within the first few rounds.

Yet, Hurst is another Michigan defender that could sneak into the first round. Pro Football Focus projected him as a first-round pick back in August and after a strong campaign, it’s hard to see how anything has changed.

In fact, Hurst likely bolstered his status among NFL-talent evaluators.

At 6-2, 286, Hurst is an ideal fit for a 4-3 defense and has the potential to be a disruptive force, against both the run and the pass in the NFL. Scouts drool over players that have the rare combination of size and speed he has.

No wonder why Jim Harbaugh wants him back so badly. Speaking to MLive recently, here’s what Harbaugh had to say about Hurst:

“I’d love to see Mo Hurst come back for a fifth year,” Harbaugh told the crowd. “Text him. Twitter him. Encourage him to come back.”

The Wolverines are already suffering heavy losses up front. But if Hurst came back, he and Rashan Gary would give Michigan a dynamic D-line duo.

It seems likely that Peppers is going to leave. Hopefully Hurst will put off the NFL for a year. If he does, it would be wonderful news for Michigan football fans.

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