Hayden Hurst a first-rounder? Latest NFL mock draft says so

South Carolina has not had a first-round draft pick since Jadeveon Clowney went No. 1 overall in 2014, but that could change this year.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com released his first mock draft of 2018 on Friday and has former Gamecock Hayden Hurst going in the first round.

Jeremiah projects Hurst to be drafted No. 29 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars and says of the potential move, “The Jaguars need to add another tight end and I love both Hurst and South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert. Either option would be a nice fit.”

Jeremiah has Southern Cal quarterback Sam Darnold going No. 1 overall to the Browns, followed by Saquon Barkley of Penn State to the Giants and Bradley Chubb of N.C. State to the Colts.

Hurst finished second on South Carolina’s team in receiving in 2017, hauling in 44 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 30 yards and a score.

Hurst is a former professional baseball player who played in the Pirates’ organization before walking on to Carolina’s football team in the summer of 2015.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Hayden Hurst a first-rounder? Latest NFL mock draft says so."