Ted Hurst enters this year's NFL draft as one of the most productive and polished receivers to come out of the Sun Belt in recent years -- and that could make this Georgia State star attractive to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs saw their six-time Pro-Bowl and two-time All-Pro receiver, Mike Evans, leave Tampa after 12 seasons to sign on with the San Francisco 49ers on March 9. 

Tampa Bay will make its first selection on opening night at this year's draft, with the No. 15 pick, on Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh. The team owns a total of seven picks this year, including three in the top 100.

In the meantime, Bucs Roundtable will take a closer look at a range of prospects headed for the 2026 draft that might jell with Tampa Bay's current roster, coaching staff, and the team's X's and O's strategies.

NFL draft analyst Jeremy Ballreich has chased down top defensive talent that might interest the Bucs, including defensive ends Cashius Howell from Texas A&M and Miami Hurricane Akheem Mesidor as well as elite linebackers the likes of Indiana's Aiden Fisher and Georgia's CJ Allen. As the Bucs add depth in their secondary, available star prospects include Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, Arizona CB Treyday Stukes, and South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore.

Offensive role players also will be a focal point for the Bucs, and our draft profiles will feature offensive linemen like Penn State's Vega Ioane and center Trey Zuhn III out of Texas A&M, and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

Here, we turn the spotlight on Georgia State receiver Ted Hurst.

If drafted by the Bucs this April, Hurst would become the second player out of Georgia State to play for Tampa Bay. Offensive tackle Ben Chukwuma signed a three-year contract with Tampa as an undrafted free agent in May 2025, and played in all 17 games last season, with two starts. 

The two played together for the Panthers in 2024, when Hurst -- a transfer from Valdosta State -- quickly became Georgia State's top receiver, finishing the season with 56 receptions for 961 yards and a school-record nine touchdowns.

The Savannah, Georgia, native is a smooth, technically refined pass catcher who built his game on precision, toughness, and relentless consistency. While he may not carry the national name recognition of prospects from power‑conference programs, Hurst’s tape tells a different story: he’s a pro‑ready wideout with a complete skill set and a competitive edge that translates cleanly to the next level.

A late‑blooming prep recruit, Hurst arrived at Georgia State via Valdosta and quickly carved out a role thanks to his work ethic and football IQ.

In his two seasons in Atlanta, Hurst became the focal point of the Panthers’ passing attack, thriving in a system that asked him to win from multiple alignments and handle a diverse route tree. His production steadily climbed each year, culminating in a breakout final season where he emerged as one of the Sun Belt’s most reliable chain‑movers and red‑zone threats.

Hurst’s rise wasn’t built on raw athleticism alone -- it was built on detail. Coaches consistently praised his preparation, route discipline, and ability to elevate the offense in high‑leverage moments. Whether working the boundary, operating from the slot, or motioning into stacked looks, Hurst became the player Georgia State trusted when they needed a play.

The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder isn’t a burner in the traditional sense, but he’s a fluid athlete with enough speed to threaten vertically and enough strength to win through contact. His frame is NFL‑ready, and his balance through the catch point stands out on film.

Hurst’s calling card is his route running. He’s a technician: patient off the line, deceptive in his pacing, and sharp at the top of his stems. He understands how to manipulate leverage, set up defenders, and create separation without wasted motion. His footwork is crisp, and he consistently wins with timing and precision.

His hands are another standout trait. Hurst is a natural hands catcher who attacks the ball away from his body and rarely lets it into his chest. He’s comfortable working in traffic, showing strong concentration and the toughness to finish through contact. On third downs and in the red zone, he became Georgia State’s security blanket.

After the catch, Hurst is more effective than his testing numbers may suggest. He’s a decisive runner who transitions quickly from receiver to ball carrier, using vision and balance to slip tackles and generate extra yards. He’s not a jitterbug, but he’s efficient, physical, and competitive.

As a blocker, Hurst brings effort and technique. He understands angles, plays with leverage, and shows the willingness to mix it up on the perimeter -- traits that will help him earn early snaps in the NFL.

Hurst’s ceiling is tied to his athletic profile. He’s a good athlete, not a great one, and he may not consistently separate against long, explosive NFL corners without continued refinement. His long‑speed is adequate but not threatening, which limits his ability to win purely on vertical routes.

He also needs to expand his release package against press coverage. While he’s shown flashes, he’ll face more physical corners at the next level and must diversify his counters to avoid being disrupted early in routes.

Hurst projects as a high‑floor WR3 with the potential to grow into a reliable WR2 in the right system. His polish, toughness, and versatility make him an immediate contributor on possession downs, and his special teams value will help him stick early. Offenses that emphasize timing, spacing, and precision -- particularly West Coast‑influenced schemes -- will see the most value in his game.

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