It’s suddenly very easy to draw a line between tight end Hayden Hurst and the Patriots. And South Carolina tight ends coach Pat Washington understands why.
“It’s just me, looking at it from the perspective of an outsider, but Hayden is a disciplined guy. He’s a guy who thrives in a disciplined atmosphere,” Washington said. “And that’s certainly the way they do things in New England. That’s what the Patriots are all about. They love those kinds of players.
“I think Hayden can fit into that mold — if he goes there, he’ll drink the Kool-Aid.”
Hurst is considered by most to be the best tight end in this year’s draft. And if the Patriots are (*ahem*) looking to make a change at the position in the near future, they could be in a good spot to make a run at the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder at the end of the first round or the start of the second. A former minor-league first baseman who spent two years playing professional baseball, he is a big, physical pass catcher who had 100 receptions for 1,281 yards and three touchdowns in his two-plus years at South Carolina.
He's been someone who has been on New England's radar for a while now: he's met with Bill Belichick at least twice.
Hayden Hurst says he‘s met w/ Bill Belichick twice - once in Indy at the combine & then again yesterday. Asked what those talks w/ BB was like & he replied, “At first you walk into the room & you’re like, ‘I’ve seen him on TV.’ But he’s a football guy. He likes talking football.” pic.twitter.com/XDzTCczmfV
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) March 20, 2018
