When describing the attributes of offensive lineman James Hurst, Plainfield (Ind.) coach Brian Woodward uses two words – total package.
“James is one of the brightest young men I have ever coached in terms of both football and academic intelligence,” said Woodward. “He has great character and has a wonderful personality. James Hurst is the total package and he is truly a special young man.”
The tale of the tape is impressive for Hurst. He is physically imposing at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds. He can squat 490 pounds, bench 325 and he has a 40-yard dash time of 5.03 seconds. He also sports a 4.135 GPA and ranks 11th in a class of 312 at Plainfield. A two-time All-Indy West selection and an all-state pick as a junior, Hurst has already given a verbal commitment to North Carolina.
“I plan to enroll in January,” said Hurst. “I am incredibly excited to see what I can do at the next level.”
Hurst will have some company when he gets to Chapel Hill. His brother Nelson already plays tight end for the Tar Heels. Football runs in the family for the Hursts, whose father Tim played for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama.
A four-year starter at the varsity level, Hurst admits those first days on the varsity were nervous ones.
“It was the most nerve-wracking experience of my life,” he said. “But after the first play, I settled in and had fun. My brother helped me play varsity as a freshman and he has always given me great competition.”
Woodward recognized Hurst’s talents at an early age.
“We have been blessed at Plainfield to have had several great offensive linemen, and as a young lineman, based on his size and athletic ability, I felt like he compared quite favorably to those players that had come before him,” said Woodward.
Hurst notes that he spends lots of time in the weight room and watches film to help him improve. That type of dedication has not gone unnoticed.
“James has always been dedicated to making himself a better player by being coachable, as well as taking advantage of every weight room, speed development, and skill development opportunity provided to him,” said Woodward. “James, in addition to having great genetics, has done everything possible to make himself the best player possible.”
Hurst began to realize that he might have a future in football following his sophomore season. A trip to the Under Armour combine confirmed it.
“I went to the combine in Cincinnati and I played and tested very well and got my name out there,” he said. “I went to the Army Junior National Combine in San Antonio last summer. It was the best competition for me. The atmosphere was incredible. I thought I played well but tested poorly."
Still, he was named the offensive MVP. CBS College Sports recruiting analyst Tom Lemming lists Hurst as the 20th-best player in the country, No. 3 among offensive linemen.
“He was well known in Indiana after a very good junior year, but he became a national name down in San Antonio when he dominated some of the nation’s premier defensive tackle prospects,” Lemming said.
The Quakers are 5-2 on the season, and Hurst admits that he hopes that Plainfield might get a shot at Indianapolis Cathedral in the playoffs.
“Cathedral has a ton of depth and great players. They have no weakness,” he said. “Cathedral is in our section and it should be a great game.”
